diff --git a/meta/lib/oeqa/selftest/cases/devtool.py b/meta/lib/oeqa/selftest/cases/devtool.py
index a16c7a93f6..5301b6013e 100644
--- a/meta/lib/oeqa/selftest/cases/devtool.py
+++ b/meta/lib/oeqa/selftest/cases/devtool.py
@@ -3529,13 +3529,10 @@ class DevtoolIdeSdkGccTests(DevtoolIdeSdkTests):
         self.assertEqual(task_command, "ssh", f"Task '{prelaunch_task_name}' should use ssh command")
         self.assertTrue(len(task_args) >= 2, f"Task '{prelaunch_task_name}' should have at least 2 args (ssh options and remote command)")
 
-        sshargs = '-o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no'
-        result = runCmd('ssh %s root@%s %s' % (sshargs, qemu.ip, 'test -x /usr/bin/gdbserver'),
-                        output_log=self._cmd_logger)
-        self.assertEqual(result.status, 0, "gdbserver should be installed on target")
-        result = runCmd('ssh %s root@%s %s' % (sshargs, qemu.ip, 'test -x ' + os.path.join('/usr/bin', example_exe)),
-                        output_log=self._cmd_logger)
-        self.assertEqual(result.status, 0, "Example binary should be installed on target")
+        status, _ = qemu.run('test -x /usr/bin/gdbserver')
+        self.assertEqual(status, 0, "gdbserver should be installed on target")
+        status, _ = qemu.run('test -x ' + os.path.join('/usr/bin', example_exe))
+        self.assertEqual(status, 0, "Example binary should be installed on target")
 
         # Start gdbserver on target using the task command (keep the ssh connection open while debugging)
         ssh_gdbserver_cmd = [task_command] + task_args