diff --git a/roles/openshift/secret-file/tasks/main.yml b/roles/openshift/secret-file/tasks/main.yml
index 697ce185ae..20b55de91a 100644
--- a/roles/openshift/secret-file/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/openshift/secret-file/tasks/main.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@
   when: file is defined
   run_once: true
 
+- name: Copy private file {{privatefile}} to temporary file ({{tmpfile.path}})
+  copy: src={{private}}/files/{{privatefile}} dest={{tmpfile.path}}
+  when: privatefile is defined
+  run_once: true
+
 - name: Call `oc secrets new` on the copied file
   shell: oc -n {{app}} secrets new {{secret_name}} {{key}}={{tmpfile.path}}
   run_once: true