diff --git a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rcS b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rcS
index bb78b6a657..7f04095194 100755
--- a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rcS
+++ b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rcS
@@ -61,11 +61,7 @@ then
 #
 # Start terminal
 #
-if sercon
-then
-	echo "USB connected"
-	nshterm /dev/ttyACM0 &
-fi
+sercon
 
 #
 # Start the ORB (first app to start)
@@ -164,5 +160,8 @@ then
 	sh /etc/init.d/31_io_phantom
 fi
 
+# Try to get an USB console
+nshterm /dev/ttyACM0 &
+
 # End of autostart
 fi
diff --git a/src/systemcmds/nshterm/nshterm.c b/src/systemcmds/nshterm/nshterm.c
index 41d108ffc5..458bb2259e 100644
--- a/src/systemcmds/nshterm/nshterm.c
+++ b/src/systemcmds/nshterm/nshterm.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ nshterm_main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
     uint8_t retries = 0;
     int fd = -1;
-    while (retries < 5) {
+    while (retries < 50) {
         /* the retries are to cope with the behaviour of /dev/ttyACM0 */
         /* which may not be ready immediately. */
         fd = open(argv[1], O_RDWR);