diff --git a/sdcm/cluster.py b/sdcm/cluster.py
index 875ad4c5ad..6a6bbd5181 100644
--- a/sdcm/cluster.py
+++ b/sdcm/cluster.py
@@ -831,6 +831,8 @@ def _refresh_instance_state(self):
 
     @cached_property
     def cql_ip_address(self):
+        if self.test_config.IP_SSH_CONNECTIONS == 'public':
+            return self.ip_address
         with self.remote_scylla_yaml() as scylla_yaml:
             return scylla_yaml.broadcast_rpc_address if scylla_yaml.broadcast_rpc_address else self.ip_address