diff --git a/sys/lib/dist/usr/glenda/bin/rc/riostart b/sys/lib/dist/usr/glenda/bin/rc/riostart
index 3f53b2728..fde27dff3 100755
--- a/sys/lib/dist/usr/glenda/bin/rc/riostart
+++ b/sys/lib/dist/usr/glenda/bin/rc/riostart
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/rc
 window 0,0,161,117 stats -lmisce
 window -miny 130
+
+# run a system shell on the serial console
+~ $#console 0 || window -scroll console