diff --git a/scripts/ssh-hostkey.nse b/scripts/ssh-hostkey.nse
index 81832381a..a6ab2b021 100644
--- a/scripts/ssh-hostkey.nse
+++ b/scripts/ssh-hostkey.nse
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ local function portaction(host, port)
       fingerprint=stdnse.tohex(key.fingerprint),
       type=key.key_type,
       bits=key.bits,
-      key=base64.enc(key.key),
+      key=key.key,
     }
     if format:find( 'hex', 1, true ) or all_formats then
       table.insert( output, ssh1.fingerprint_hex( key.fingerprint, key.algorithm, key.bits ) )