diff --git a/src/loadkeys.c b/src/loadkeys.c
index 8b8e7a1..b3f7fea 100644
--- a/src/loadkeys.c
+++ b/src/loadkeys.c
@@ -174,7 +174,8 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	}
 
 	/* get console */
-	fd = getfd(console);
+	if (!(options & OPT_B))
+		fd = getfd(console);
 
 	if (!(options & OPT_M) && !(options & OPT_B)) {
 		/* check whether the keyboard is in Unicode mode */
