diff --git a/src/core/execute.c b/src/core/execute.c
index 2cef70e668..e718c43df9 100644
--- a/src/core/execute.c
+++ b/src/core/execute.c
@@ -552,6 +552,10 @@ static int chown_terminal(int fd, uid_t uid) {
 
         assert(fd >= 0);
 
+        /* Before we chown/chmod the TTY, let's ensure this is actually a tty */
+        if (isatty(fd) < 1)
+                return 0;
+
         /* This might fail. What matters are the results. */
         (void) fchown(fd, uid, -1);
         (void) fchmod(fd, TTY_MODE);