diff --git a/spot-setup/hdfs_setup.sh b/spot-setup/hdfs_setup.sh
index 13e8fcb6..3b2ff09d 100755
--- a/spot-setup/hdfs_setup.sh
+++ b/spot-setup/hdfs_setup.sh
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ case ${DBENGINE} in
         if [[ ${KERBEROS} == "true" ]]; then
             db_shell="${db_shell} -k"
         fi
+        if [[ ${SSL} == "true" ]]; then
+            db_shell="${db_shell} --ssl"
+        fi
         db_query="${db_shell} -q"
         db_script="${db_shell} --var=huser=${HUSER} --var=dbname=${DBNAME} -c -f"
         ;;