diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/nixos-rebuild/nixos-rebuild.sh b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/nixos-rebuild/nixos-rebuild.sh
index ba8c8fc537a3..1b7ec45ae2d3 100755
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/nixos-rebuild/nixos-rebuild.sh
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/nixos-rebuild/nixos-rebuild.sh
@@ -196,9 +196,11 @@ targetHostCmd() {
 
 targetHostSudoCmd() {
     if [ -n "$remoteSudo" ]; then
-        useSudo=1 targetHostCmd "$@"
+        useSudo=1 SSHOPTS="$SSHOPTS -t" targetHostCmd "$@"
     else
-        targetHostCmd "$@"
+        # While a tty might not be necessary, we apply it to be consistent with
+        # sudo usage, and an experience that is more consistent with local deployment.
+        SSHOPTS="$SSHOPTS -t" targetHostCmd "$@"
     fi
 }