diff --git a/ansible_mitogen/process.py b/ansible_mitogen/process.py
index 1fc7bf80..e690058b 100644
--- a/ansible_mitogen/process.py
+++ b/ansible_mitogen/process.py
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ import mitogen.utils
 import ansible
 import ansible.constants as C
 import ansible.errors
+# required for mocking sshpass check on ansible's side
+from ansible.plugins.connection import ssh
 import ansible_mitogen.logging
 import ansible_mitogen.services
 
@@ -672,6 +674,12 @@ class MuxProcess(object):
         self._setup_master()
         self._setup_services()
 
+        # mock checking if sshpass exists; mitogen doesn't need it to ssh
+        # TODO: confirm this
+        # TODO TODO: this isn't working
+        ssh.SSHPASS_AVAILABLE = True
+        import epdb; epdb.set_trace()
+
         try:
             # Let the parent know our listening socket is ready.
             mitogen.core.io_op(self.model.child_sock.send, b('1'))