diff --git a/usr.sbin/sade/install.c b/usr.sbin/sade/install.c
index d1bc571458ff..7c21abfefec9 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sade/install.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sade/install.c
@@ -522,6 +522,8 @@ fixit_common(void)
 		"When you are done, type ``exit'' to exit\n"
 		"the fixit shell and be returned here.\n\n");
 	    fflush(stdout);
+	} else {
+	    ioctl(fd, VT_ACTIVATE, 0);
 	}
 
 	/* use the .profile from the fixit medium */
diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/install.c b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/install.c
index d1bc571458ff..7c21abfefec9 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinstall/install.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinstall/install.c
@@ -522,6 +522,8 @@ fixit_common(void)
 		"When you are done, type ``exit'' to exit\n"
 		"the fixit shell and be returned here.\n\n");
 	    fflush(stdout);
+	} else {
+	    ioctl(fd, VT_ACTIVATE, 0);
 	}
 
 	/* use the .profile from the fixit medium */