diff --git a/hw/xfree86/os-support/shared/posix_tty.c b/hw/xfree86/os-support/shared/posix_tty.c
index 4d08c1e85..6e2af001a 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/os-support/shared/posix_tty.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/os-support/shared/posix_tty.c
@@ -124,7 +124,11 @@ xf86OpenSerial(XF86OptionPtr options)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    SYSCALL(fd = open(dev, O_RDWR | O_NONBLOCK));
+    fd = xf86CheckIntOption(options, "fd", -1);
+
+    if (fd == -1)
+        SYSCALL(fd = open(dev, O_RDWR | O_NONBLOCK));
+
     if (fd == -1) {
         xf86Msg(X_ERROR,
                 "xf86OpenSerial: Cannot open device %s\n\t%s.\n",