diff --git a/src/cmd/9term/9term.c b/src/cmd/9term/9term.c
index 7efce4ad..12d4be03 100644
--- a/src/cmd/9term/9term.c
+++ b/src/cmd/9term/9term.c
@@ -1021,7 +1021,8 @@ consread(void)
 		s = setecho(sfd, 0);
 		if(write(rcfd, buf, n) < 0)
 			exits(0);
-		setecho(sfd, s);
+		if(s)
+			setecho(sfd, s);
 	}
 }