diff --git a/e2e/docker-compose.yml b/e2e/docker-compose.yml
index 750b11eb..0119e4b4 100644
--- a/e2e/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/e2e/docker-compose.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ services:
       - host-publickey
       - host-password
 
+  # ensure sshpiperd image works
+  piper-imageonly:
+    environment:
+      - SSHPIPERD_LOG_LEVEL=trace
+    build: ../      
+
 volumes:
   shared:
     driver_opts: