diff --git a/vm/os-windows-nt.c b/vm/os-windows-nt.c
index 7ea8155072..afd1e0ed3b 100755
--- a/vm/os-windows-nt.c
+++ b/vm/os-windows-nt.c
@@ -91,4 +91,14 @@ void c_to_factor_toplevel(CELL quot)
 
 void open_console(void)
 {
+	if(!console_open)
+	{
+		if(!AttachConsole(ATTACH_PARENT_PROCESS))
+		{
+			if(AllocConsole())
+				console_open = true;
+		}
+		else
+			console_open = true;
+	}
 }
diff --git a/vm/os-windows-nt.h b/vm/os-windows-nt.h
index f74c7b1883..9e451f0301 100755
--- a/vm/os-windows-nt.h
+++ b/vm/os-windows-nt.h
@@ -18,4 +18,5 @@ typedef char F_SYMBOL;
 
 void c_to_factor_toplevel(CELL quot);
 long exception_handler(PEXCEPTION_POINTERS pe);
+bool console_open;
 void open_console(void);