diff --git a/cmd/minikube/cmd/tunnel.go b/cmd/minikube/cmd/tunnel.go
index 4d53a45e71..c2e984cf7c 100644
--- a/cmd/minikube/cmd/tunnel.go
+++ b/cmd/minikube/cmd/tunnel.go
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ var tunnelCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			cancel()
 		}()
 
-		if driver.NeedsPortForward(co.Config.Driver) && driver.IsKIC(co.Config.Driver) {
+		if useSSHTunnel(co.Config.Driver) {
 			port, err := oci.ForwardedPort(co.Config.Driver, cname, 22)
 			if err != nil {
 				exit.Error(reason.DrvPortForward, "error getting ssh port", err)
@@ -111,6 +111,16 @@ var tunnelCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	},
 }
 
+func useSSHTunnel(driverName string) bool {
+	if !driver.IsKIC(driverName) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if driver.NeedsPortForward(driverName) {
+		return true
+	}
+	return bindAddress != ""
+}
+
 func outputTunnelStarted() {
 	out.Styled(style.Success, "Tunnel successfully started")
 	out.Ln("")