diff --git a/sys/dev/syscons/syscons.c b/sys/dev/syscons/syscons.c
index 8a4a226c89ec..ed441bd49247 100644
--- a/sys/dev/syscons/syscons.c
+++ b/sys/dev/syscons/syscons.c
@@ -2233,6 +2233,7 @@ sc_switch_scr(sc_softc_t *sc, u_int next_scr)
 
     /*
      * Is the wanted vty open? Don't allow switching to a closed vty.
+     * If we are in DDB, don't switch to a vty in the VT_PROCESS mode.
      * Note that we always allow the user to switch to the kernel 
      * console even if it is closed.
      */
@@ -2244,6 +2245,11 @@ sc_switch_scr(sc_softc_t *sc, u_int next_scr)
 	    DPRINTF(5, ("error 2, requested vty isn't open!\n"));
 	    return EINVAL;
 	}
+	if ((debugger > 0) && (SC_STAT(tp->t_dev)->smode.mode == VT_PROCESS)) {
+	    splx(s);
+	    DPRINTF(5, ("error 3, requested vty is in the VT_PROCESS mode\n"));
+	    return EINVAL;
+	}
     }
 
     /* this is the start of vty switching process... */