diff --git a/pyrepl/reader.py b/pyrepl/reader.py
index 587e3b1..f9869e4 100644
--- a/pyrepl/reader.py
+++ b/pyrepl/reader.py
@@ -478,8 +478,8 @@ def prepare(self):
         """Get ready to run.  Call restore when finished.  You must not
         write to the console in between the calls to prepare and
         restore."""
+        self.console.prepare()
         try:
-            self.console.prepare()
             self.arg = None
             self.screeninfo = []
             self.finished = 0
diff --git a/pyrepl/unix_console.py b/pyrepl/unix_console.py
index a7e311f..452a8a0 100644
--- a/pyrepl/unix_console.py
+++ b/pyrepl/unix_console.py
@@ -354,7 +354,11 @@ def move_cursor(self, x, y):
 
     def prepare(self):
         # per-readline preparations:
-        self.__svtermstate = tcgetattr(self.input_fd)
+        try:
+            self.__svtermstate = tcgetattr(self.input_fd)
+        except termios.error:  # (25, 'Inappropriate ioctl for device')
+            # assert not os.fdopen(self.input_fd).isatty()
+            raise EOFError
         raw = self.__svtermstate.copy()
         raw.iflag |= termios.ICRNL
         raw.iflag &= ~(termios.BRKINT | termios.INPCK |