diff --git a/wally/run_test.py b/wally/run_test.py
index b22ce38..44b65c0 100755
--- a/wally/run_test.py
+++ b/wally/run_test.py
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@
 
 
 def connect_one(node, vm=False):
+    if node.conn_url == 'local':
+        node.connection = ssh_utils.connect(node.conn_url)
+        return
+
     try:
         ssh_pref = "ssh://"
         if node.conn_url.startswith(ssh_pref):