diff --git a/login-utils/su-common.c b/login-utils/su-common.c
index afd75a1f1..9c6267f25 100644
--- a/login-utils/su-common.c
+++ b/login-utils/su-common.c
@@ -1417,8 +1417,10 @@ int su_main(int argc, char **argv, int mode)
 		setsid();
 	}
 
+#ifdef USE_PTY
 	if (su->pty)
 		pty_init_slave(su);
+#endif
 
 	/* Set environment after pam_open_session, which may put KRB5CCNAME
 	   into the pam_env, etc.  */