diff --git a/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh b/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
index c5571c9..e8a3306 100755
--- a/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
+++ b/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ echo "http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/latest-stable/community" >> /etc/apk/
 
 # apk update and install essentials
 apk update && apk upgrade
-apk add nano sudo pwgen curl wget qemu-guest-agent git bash-doc bash-completion --no-cache
+apk add nano sudo pwgen curl wget qemu-guest-agent git bash-doc bash-completion openssh--no-cache
 
 # change default shell to bash
 isInFile=$(cat /etc/passwd | grep -c "/bin/bash")
@@ -36,3 +36,7 @@ fi
 
 # remove all motd
 rm /etc/motd > /dev/null 2>&1
+
+# enable and start sshd
+rc-update add sshd
+rc-service sshd start