diff --git a/salt/client/ssh/__init__.py b/salt/client/ssh/__init__.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/salt/client/ssh/__init__.py
+++ b/salt/client/ssh/__init__.py
@@ -56,11 +56,7 @@ try:
     HAS_WINSHELL = True
 except ImportError:
     HAS_WINSHELL = False
-try:
-    import zmq
-    HAS_ZMQ = True
-except ImportError:
-    HAS_ZMQ = False
+from salt.utils.zeromq import zmq
 
 # The directory where salt thin is deployed
 DEFAULT_THIN_DIR = '/var/tmp/.%%USER%%_%%FQDNUUID%%_salt'
@@ -207,7 +203,7 @@ class SSH(object):
     '''
     def __init__(self, opts):
         pull_sock = os.path.join(opts['sock_dir'], 'master_event_pull.ipc')
-        if os.path.isfile(pull_sock) and HAS_ZMQ:
+        if os.path.exists(pull_sock) and zmq:
             self.event = salt.utils.event.get_event(
                     'master',
                     opts['sock_dir'],
Use utility for ZMQ import handling in SSH client