diff --git a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSA.php b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSA.php
index c39f0580c9779..dd336c205d2ca 100644
--- a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSA.php
+++ b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSA.php
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ public function manipulateStorageConfig(StorageConfig &$storage, ?IUser $user =
 				throw new \RuntimeException('unable to load private key');
 			}
 		}
+		$auth->setPassword('');
 		$storage->setBackendOption('public_key_auth', $auth);
 	}
 
diff --git a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSAPrivateKey.php b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSAPrivateKey.php
index 30ff5dd2a4c21..231f042a63bf8 100644
--- a/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSAPrivateKey.php
+++ b/apps/files_external/lib/Lib/Auth/PublicKey/RSAPrivateKey.php
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ public function manipulateStorageConfig(StorageConfig &$storage, ?IUser $user =
 				throw new \RuntimeException('unable to load private key');
 			}
 		}
+
+		$auth->setPassword('');
 		$storage->setBackendOption('public_key_auth', $auth);
 	}
 }