diff --git a/ssh/client_auth_test.go b/ssh/client_auth_test.go
index 145b57a..a6b8b99 100644
--- a/ssh/client_auth_test.go
+++ b/ssh/client_auth_test.go
@@ -614,8 +614,8 @@ func TestClientAuthErrorList(t *testing.T) {
 	for i, e := range authErrs.Errors {
 		switch i {
 		case 0:
-			if e.Error() != "no auth passed yet" {
-				t.Fatalf("errors: got %v, want no auth passed yet", e.Error())
+			if _, ok := e.(*NoAuthError); !ok {
+				t.Fatalf("errors: got error type %T, want NoAuthError", e)
 			}
 		case 1:
 			if e != publicKeyErr {
diff --git a/ssh/server.go b/ssh/server.go
index b83d473..f40657d 100644
--- a/ssh/server.go
+++ b/ssh/server.go
@@ -309,6 +309,14 @@ func (l ServerAuthError) Error() string {
 	return "[" + strings.Join(errs, ", ") + "]"
 }
 
+// NoAuthError is the unique error that is returned if no authentication method
+// has been passed yet
+type NoAuthError struct{}
+
+func (e *NoAuthError) Error() string {
+	return "no auth passed yet"
+}
+
 func (s *connection) serverAuthenticate(config *ServerConfig) (*Permissions, error) {
 	sessionID := s.transport.getSessionID()
 	var cache pubKeyCache
@@ -363,7 +371,7 @@ userAuthLoop:
 		}
 
 		perms = nil
-		authErr := errors.New("no auth passed yet")
+		authErr := error(&NoAuthError{})
 
 		switch userAuthReq.Method {
 		case "none":