diff --git a/app/models/manageiq/providers/ansible_tower/shared/automation_manager/machine_credential.rb b/app/models/manageiq/providers/ansible_tower/shared/automation_manager/machine_credential.rb
index e5af99bd99d..57b9282e7ea 100644
--- a/app/models/manageiq/providers/ansible_tower/shared/automation_manager/machine_credential.rb
+++ b/app/models/manageiq/providers/ansible_tower/shared/automation_manager/machine_credential.rb
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ module ManageIQ::Providers::AnsibleTower::Shared::AutomationManager::MachineCred
   EXTRA_ATTRIBUTES = {
     :ssh_key_data => {
       :type       => :password,
+      :multiline  => true,
       :label      => N_('Private key'),
       :help_text  => N_('RSA or DSA private key to be used instead of password')
     },