diff --git a/home/desktop.nix b/home/desktop.nix
index 7fa7840..5387fad 100644
--- a/home/desktop.nix
+++ b/home/desktop.nix
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@
 
   programs.ssh = {
     enable = true;
+    package = pkgs.openssh;
     # ssh host config
     matchBlocks = (import "${inputs.mysecrets}/ssh_hosts.nix").privateHosts;
   };
diff --git a/home/scripts/reporsync.nix b/home/scripts/reporsync.nix
index ed2e9f0..cf4ebee 100644
--- a/home/scripts/reporsync.nix
+++ b/home/scripts/reporsync.nix
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
   	# reset pre-defined variables that are read and manipulated throughout this function
   	unset JUMPHOST
   	# arrays are bash or zsh specific
-  	RSYNC_OPTS=("-rlptzv" "--progress" "--delete" "--exclude=.git/" "--exclude=.direnv/" "--exclude=.vscode/" "--exclude=result" "--exclude=channels/" "--exclude=.mypy_cache/" "--exclude=__pycache__")
+  	RSYNC_OPTS=("-rlptzv" "--progress" "--delete" "--exclude=.git" "--exclude=.direnv/" "--exclude=.vscode/" "--exclude=result" "--exclude=channels/" "--exclude=.mypy_cache/" "--exclude=__pycache__")
 
   	while getopts ':Jj:' OPT; do
   		case $OPT in 
diff --git a/home/workmac.nix b/home/workmac.nix
index e378da3..1e50dab 100644
--- a/home/workmac.nix
+++ b/home/workmac.nix
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ in
 
   programs.ssh = {
     enable = true;
+    package = pkgs.openssh;
     # defaults in bottom match block "*"
     # TODO: common config for desktop as well
     serverAliveInterval = 10;