diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 7f9f21b..196de56 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -2951,7 +2951,7 @@ function shouldCreateKeyFile(keyFilePath, ifKeyExists) {
  */
 function shouldRemoveSshDirectory() {
     const keepsSshDir = core.getInput("keep_ssh_dir", {
-        required: true,
+        required: false,
     });
     // empty string or falsy value in YAML
     switch (keepsSshDir.toLowerCase()) {
diff --git a/src/main.ts b/src/main.ts
index d78eb5e..ab590e9 100644
--- a/src/main.ts
+++ b/src/main.ts
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ function shouldCreateKeyFile(keyFilePath: string, ifKeyExists: string): boolean
  */
 function shouldRemoveSshDirectory(): boolean {
     const keepsSshDir = core.getInput("keep_ssh_dir", {
-        required: true,
+        required: false,
     });
 
     // empty string or falsy value in YAML