diff --git a/lib/soloist/config.rb b/lib/soloist/config.rb
index 42c6d9e..38b82b5 100644
--- a/lib/soloist/config.rb
+++ b/lib/soloist/config.rb
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ def as_solo_rb
         file_cache_path "#{chef_cache_path}"
         cookbook_path #{cookbook_paths.inspect}
         json_attribs "#{node_json_path}"
+        ohai.optional_plugins = [ :Passwd ] if ohai.respond_to?(:optional_plugins)
       SOLO_RB
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/lib/soloist/config_spec.rb b/spec/lib/soloist/config_spec.rb
index 60ee888..c0f679f 100644
--- a/spec/lib/soloist/config_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/soloist/config_spec.rb
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
     it { should include 'file_cache_path "/var/chef/cache"' }
     it { should include %(json_attribs "#{config.node_json_path}") }
+    it { should include 'ohai.optional_plugins = [ :Passwd ] if ohai.respond_to?(:optional_plugins)' }
   end
 
   describe "#cookbook_paths" do