diff --git a/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/ChangeLog b/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/ChangeLog
index b431d6231e..9951fe3035 100644
--- a/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/ChangeLog
+++ b/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+2011-03-21	Sebastian Huber <sebastian.huber@embedded-brains.de>
+
+	* console.c: Make device file optional.
+
 2011-03-16	Jennifer Averett <jennifer.averett@OARcorp.com>
 
 	PR 1729/cpukit
diff --git a/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/console.c b/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/console.c
index 94b627daa6..b103dbdf94 100644
--- a/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/console.c
+++ b/c/src/lib/libbsp/shared/console.c
@@ -242,9 +242,11 @@ rtems_device_driver console_initialize(
           rtems_fatal_error_occurred(sc);
         }
       }
-      sc = rtems_io_register_name(device->sDeviceName, major, minor);
-      if (sc != RTEMS_SUCCESSFUL) {
-        rtems_fatal_error_occurred(sc);
+      if (device->sDeviceName != NULL) {
+        sc = rtems_io_register_name(device->sDeviceName, major, minor);
+        if (sc != RTEMS_SUCCESSFUL) {
+          rtems_fatal_error_occurred(sc);
+        }
       }
     }
   }