Index: src/java/org/apache/ivy/plugins/repository/ssh/SshCache.java
===================================================================
--- src/java/org/apache/ivy/plugins/repository/ssh/SshCache.java	(revision 613502)
+++ src/java/org/apache/ivy/plugins/repository/ssh/SshCache.java	(working copy)
@@ -327,8 +327,10 @@
                 Message.verbose(":: SSH :: connected to " + host + "!");
                 setSession(username, host, port, session);
             } catch (JSchException e) {
-                if (passFile.exists()) {
+                if (passFile!=null) {
+                  if (passFile.exists()) {
                     passFile.delete();
+                  }
                 }
                 IOException ex = new IOException(e.getMessage());
                 ex.initCause(e);