Single SignOn user (without password) using private-key for Code for i, DB2 for i cannot connect.

Hi all,
For quite some time now, I have been using Code for i and DB2 for i. Great stuff, thank you.

I have configured a connection to my development IBM i using a private key and leaving the user-id blank.

Currently we're migrating to SSO (Single Sign-On) connections. For that the user-ids will lose their passwords.

With such a user set in my VS Code/Code for i connection settings:
Code for i connects fine.
DB2 for i cannot connect or initiate the java job .

Error-message:
java.sql.SQLNonTransientConnectionException: The application server rejected the connection. (Password is *NONE.:Qxxxxxx)

Is there any way around this apart from setting a password on the user-id?