diff --git a/sys/alpha/tlsb/zs_tlsb.c b/sys/alpha/tlsb/zs_tlsb.c
index d2f89db3033f..0852724f0d3e 100644
--- a/sys/alpha/tlsb/zs_tlsb.c
+++ b/sys/alpha/tlsb/zs_tlsb.c
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ zs_cnattach(vm_offset_t base, vm_offset_t offset)
 	zs_console_addr = (caddr_t) ALPHA_PHYS_TO_K0SEG(base + offset);
 
 	sprintf(zs_consdev.cn_name, "zs0");
+	zs_consdev.cn_unit = 0;
 	zs_consdev.cn_pri = CN_NORMAL;
 	make_dev(&zs_cdevsw, 0, UID_ROOT, GID_WHEEL, 0600, "zs0");
 	cnadd(&zs_consdev);
@@ -238,7 +239,7 @@ int
 zs_cngetc(struct consdev *cp)
 {
 	int s = spltty();
-	int c = zs_getc(zs_console_addr, minor(cp->cn_dev));
+	int c = zs_getc(zs_console_addr, cp->cn_unit);
 	splx(s);
 	return c;
 }
@@ -247,7 +248,7 @@ int
 zs_cncheckc(struct consdev *cp)
 {
 	int s = spltty();
-	int c = zs_maygetc(zs_console_addr, minor(cp->cn_dev));
+	int c = zs_maygetc(zs_console_addr, cp->cn_unit);
 	splx(s);
 	return c;
 }
@@ -256,7 +257,7 @@ void
 zs_cnputc(struct consdev *cp, int c)
 {
 	int s = spltty();
-	zs_putc(zs_console_addr, minor(cp->cn_dev), c);
+	zs_putc(zs_console_addr, cp->cn_unit, c);
 	splx(s);
 }
 
diff --git a/sys/dev/ofw/ofw_console.c b/sys/dev/ofw/ofw_console.c
index b835dd13f038..920733a61d91 100644
--- a/sys/dev/ofw/ofw_console.c
+++ b/sys/dev/ofw/ofw_console.c
@@ -92,15 +92,16 @@ cn_drvinit(void *unused)
 {
 	phandle_t options;
 	char output[32];
+	dev_t dev;
 
-	if (ofw_consdev.cn_dev != NULL) {
+	if (ofw_consdev.cn_pri != CN_DEAD) {
 		if ((options = OF_finddevice("/options")) == -1 ||
 		    OF_getprop(options, "output-device", output,
 		    sizeof(output)) == -1)
 			return;
-		make_dev(&ofw_cdevsw, 0, UID_ROOT, GID_WHEEL, 0600, "%s",
+		dev = make_dev(&ofw_cdevsw, 0, UID_ROOT, GID_WHEEL, 0600, "%s",
 		    output);
-		make_dev_alias(ofw_consdev.cn_dev, "ofwcons");
+		make_dev_alias(dev, "ofwcons");
 	}
 }
 
@@ -275,7 +276,6 @@ ofw_cons_probe(struct consdev *cp)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	cp->cn_dev = NULL;
 	cp->cn_pri = CN_INTERNAL;
 }
 
diff --git a/sys/dev/sab/sab.c b/sys/dev/sab/sab.c
index 4d86a5b53d7a..2eeb7f080490 100644
--- a/sys/dev/sab/sab.c
+++ b/sys/dev/sab/sab.c
@@ -1111,7 +1111,7 @@ sab_cnprobe(struct consdev *cn)
 		cn->cn_pri = CN_DEAD;
 	else {
 		cn->cn_pri = CN_REMOTE;
-		cn->cn_dev = sc->sc_si;
+		strcpy(cn->cn_name, devtoname(sc->sc_si));
 		cn->cn_tp = sc->sc_tty;
 	}
 }
diff --git a/sys/dev/zs/zs.c b/sys/dev/zs/zs.c
index c797b4ba6940..f3687ff68438 100644
--- a/sys/dev/zs/zs.c
+++ b/sys/dev/zs/zs.c
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ zs_cnprobe(struct consdev *cn)
 		cn->cn_pri = CN_DEAD;
 	else {
 		cn->cn_pri = CN_REMOTE;
-		cn->cn_dev = sc->sc_si;
+		strcpy(cn->cn_name, devtoname(sc->sc_si));
 		cn->cn_tp = sc->sc_tty;
 	}
 }
diff --git a/sys/kern/tty_cons.c b/sys/kern/tty_cons.c
index 10aeaffe7cb2..a8221a46585f 100644
--- a/sys/kern/tty_cons.c
+++ b/sys/kern/tty_cons.c
@@ -208,11 +208,6 @@ cnadd(struct consdev *cn)
 	if (cnd->cnd_cn != NULL)
 		return (ENOMEM);
 	cnd->cnd_cn = cn;
-	if (cn->cn_name[0] == '\0' && cn->cn_dev != NULL) {
-		strcpy(cn->cn_name, devtoname(cn->cn_dev));
-		/* XXX: it is unclear if/where this print might output */
-		printf("NOTE: console \"%s\" didn't set name\n", cn->cn_name);
-	}
 	if (cn->cn_name[0] == '\0') {
 		/* XXX: it is unclear if/where this print might output */
 		printf("WARNING: console at %p has no name\n", cn);
diff --git a/sys/pc98/cbus/sio.c b/sys/pc98/cbus/sio.c
index 620735c3cce0..2ca08cbd28ec 100644
--- a/sys/pc98/cbus/sio.c
+++ b/sys/pc98/cbus/sio.c
@@ -3963,6 +3963,18 @@ struct siocnstate {
 	u_char	mcr;
 };
 
+/*
+ * This is a function in order to not replicate "ttyd%d" more
+ * places than absolutely necessary.
+ */
+static void
+siocnset(struct consdev *cd, int unit)
+{
+
+	cd->cn_unit = unit;
+	sprintf(cd->cn_name, "ttyd%d", unit);
+}
+
 #ifndef __alpha__
 static speed_t siocngetspeed(Port_t, u_long rclk);
 #endif
@@ -4185,7 +4197,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 
 			splx(s);
 			if (COM_CONSOLE(flags) && !COM_LLCONSOLE(flags)) {
-				cp->cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+				siocnset(cp, unit);
 				cp->cn_pri = COM_FORCECONSOLE(flags)
 					     || boothowto & RB_SERIAL
 					     ? CN_REMOTE : CN_NORMAL;
@@ -4197,7 +4209,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 				siogdbiobase = iobase;
 				siogdbunit = unit;
 #if DDB > 0
-				gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+				siocnset(&gdbconsdev, unit);
 				gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 				gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 				gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4219,7 +4231,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 		printf("configuration file (currently sio only).\n");
 		siogdbiobase = siocniobase;
 		siogdbunit = siocnunit;
-		gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, siocnunit);
+		siocnset(&gdbconsdev, siocnunit);
 		gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 		gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 		gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4232,7 +4244,7 @@ static void
 siocninit(cp)
 	struct consdev	*cp;
 {
-	comconsole = DEV_TO_UNIT(cp->cn_dev);
+	comconsole = cp->cn_unit;
 }
 
 static void
@@ -4263,7 +4275,7 @@ siocnattach(port, speed)
 	siocnunit = unit;
 	comdefaultrate = speed;
 	sio_consdev.cn_pri = CN_NORMAL;
-	sio_consdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+	siocnset(&sio_consdev, unit);
 
 	s = spltty();
 
@@ -4307,7 +4319,7 @@ siogdbattach(port, speed)
 	printf("sio%d: gdb debugging port\n", unit);
 	siogdbunit = unit;
 #if DDB > 0
-	gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+	siocnset(&gdbconsdev, unit);
 	gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 	gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 	gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4343,14 +4355,12 @@ static int
 siocncheckc(struct consdev *cd)
 {
 	int	c;
-	dev_t	dev;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	int	s;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
@@ -4368,19 +4378,16 @@ siocncheckc(struct consdev *cd)
 	return (c);
 }
 
-
 static int
 siocngetc(struct consdev *cd)
 {
 	int	c;
-	dev_t	dev;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	int	s;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
@@ -4402,13 +4409,11 @@ siocnputc(struct consdev *cd, int c)
 {
 	int	need_unlock;
 	int	s;
-	dev_t 	dev;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
diff --git a/sys/pc98/pc98/sio.c b/sys/pc98/pc98/sio.c
index 620735c3cce0..2ca08cbd28ec 100644
--- a/sys/pc98/pc98/sio.c
+++ b/sys/pc98/pc98/sio.c
@@ -3963,6 +3963,18 @@ struct siocnstate {
 	u_char	mcr;
 };
 
+/*
+ * This is a function in order to not replicate "ttyd%d" more
+ * places than absolutely necessary.
+ */
+static void
+siocnset(struct consdev *cd, int unit)
+{
+
+	cd->cn_unit = unit;
+	sprintf(cd->cn_name, "ttyd%d", unit);
+}
+
 #ifndef __alpha__
 static speed_t siocngetspeed(Port_t, u_long rclk);
 #endif
@@ -4185,7 +4197,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 
 			splx(s);
 			if (COM_CONSOLE(flags) && !COM_LLCONSOLE(flags)) {
-				cp->cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+				siocnset(cp, unit);
 				cp->cn_pri = COM_FORCECONSOLE(flags)
 					     || boothowto & RB_SERIAL
 					     ? CN_REMOTE : CN_NORMAL;
@@ -4197,7 +4209,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 				siogdbiobase = iobase;
 				siogdbunit = unit;
 #if DDB > 0
-				gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+				siocnset(&gdbconsdev, unit);
 				gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 				gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 				gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4219,7 +4231,7 @@ siocnprobe(cp)
 		printf("configuration file (currently sio only).\n");
 		siogdbiobase = siocniobase;
 		siogdbunit = siocnunit;
-		gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, siocnunit);
+		siocnset(&gdbconsdev, siocnunit);
 		gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 		gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 		gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4232,7 +4244,7 @@ static void
 siocninit(cp)
 	struct consdev	*cp;
 {
-	comconsole = DEV_TO_UNIT(cp->cn_dev);
+	comconsole = cp->cn_unit;
 }
 
 static void
@@ -4263,7 +4275,7 @@ siocnattach(port, speed)
 	siocnunit = unit;
 	comdefaultrate = speed;
 	sio_consdev.cn_pri = CN_NORMAL;
-	sio_consdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+	siocnset(&sio_consdev, unit);
 
 	s = spltty();
 
@@ -4307,7 +4319,7 @@ siogdbattach(port, speed)
 	printf("sio%d: gdb debugging port\n", unit);
 	siogdbunit = unit;
 #if DDB > 0
-	gdbconsdev.cn_dev = makedev(CDEV_MAJOR, unit);
+	siocnset(&gdbconsdev, unit);
 	gdb_arg = &gdbconsdev;
 	gdb_getc = siocngetc;
 	gdb_putc = siocnputc;
@@ -4343,14 +4355,12 @@ static int
 siocncheckc(struct consdev *cd)
 {
 	int	c;
-	dev_t	dev;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	int	s;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
@@ -4368,19 +4378,16 @@ siocncheckc(struct consdev *cd)
 	return (c);
 }
 
-
 static int
 siocngetc(struct consdev *cd)
 {
 	int	c;
-	dev_t	dev;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	int	s;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
@@ -4402,13 +4409,11 @@ siocnputc(struct consdev *cd, int c)
 {
 	int	need_unlock;
 	int	s;
-	dev_t 	dev;
 	struct siocnstate	sp;
 	Port_t	iobase;
 	speed_t	speed;
 
-	dev = cd->cn_dev;
-	if (minor(dev) == siocnunit) {
+	if (cd->cn_unit == siocnunit) {
 		iobase = siocniobase;
 		speed = comdefaultrate;
 	} else {
diff --git a/sys/sys/cons.h b/sys/sys/cons.h
index e4ecfb2c946e..19f66f9967e6 100644
--- a/sys/sys/cons.h
+++ b/sys/sys/cons.h
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ struct consdev {
 	cn_dbctl_t	*cn_dbctl;
 				/* debugger control interface */
 	struct	tty *cn_tp;	/* tty structure for console device */
-	dev_t	cn_dev;		/* major/minor of device */
 	short	cn_pri;		/* pecking order; the higher the better */
 	void	*cn_arg;	/* drivers method argument */
 	int	cn_unit;	/* some drivers prefer this */