--- rxvt-unicode/src/main.C	2006/01/06 01:16:58	1.162
+++ rxvt-unicode/src/main.C	2006/01/06 05:37:59	1.164
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  * Copyright (c) 1997,1998 Oezguer Kesim <kesim@math.fu-berlin.de>
  * Copyright (c) 1998-2001 Geoff Wing <gcw@pobox.com>
  *                              - extensive modifications
- * Copyright (c) 2003-2004 Marc Lehmann <pcg@goof.com>
+ * Copyright (c) 2003-2006 Marc Lehmann <pcg@goof.com>
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -536,7 +536,8 @@
 
   free (cmd_argv);
 
-  pty_ev.start (pty.pty, EVENT_READ);
+  if (pty.pty >= 0)
+    pty_ev.start (pty.pty, EVENT_READ);
 
   check_ev.start ();