diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/sshexec.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/sshexec.py
index 233a718ec..0382f99ce 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/sshexec.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/sshexec.py
@@ -248,11 +248,11 @@ class SSHExploiter(HostExploiter):
         if status == ScanStatus.SCANNED:
             raise FailedExploitationError(self.exploit_result.error_message)
 
-        timestamp = time()
         try:
             cmdline = f"{monkey_path_on_victim} {MONKEY_ARG}"
             cmdline += build_monkey_commandline(self.servers, self.current_depth + 1)
             cmdline += " > /dev/null 2>&1 &"
+            timestamp = time()
             ssh.exec_command(cmdline, timeout=SSH_EXEC_TIMEOUT)
 
             logger.info(