diff --git a/cdist/__init__.py b/cdist/__init__.py
index 4454a3ac..28464710 100644
--- a/cdist/__init__.py
+++ b/cdist/__init__.py
@@ -41,8 +41,10 @@ BANNER = """
    "P'        ""         ""
 """
 
-REMOTE_COPY = "scp -o User=root -q"
-REMOTE_EXEC = "ssh -o User=root -q"
+SSH_MUX_OPTS = ("-o ControlPath=~/.ssh/master-%l-%r@%h:%p"
+    " -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=125")
+REMOTE_COPY = "scp -o User=root -q " + SSH_MUX_OPTS
+REMOTE_EXEC = "ssh -o User=root -q " + SSH_MUX_OPTS
 
 class Error(Exception):
     """Base exception class for this project"""