diff --git a/src/sbp_device.c b/src/sbp_device.c
index baf7359..5b0934a 100755
--- a/src/sbp_device.c
+++ b/src/sbp_device.c
@@ -174,7 +174,8 @@ int piksi_open( const char *port, int baud )
 		return PIKSI_ERROR_IO;
 	}
 	options.c_cflag &= ~HUPCL;
-	options.c_lflag &= ~ICANON;
+	options.c_lflag &= ~ICANON; 
+        options.c_cflag |= CREAD;   // enable the receiver
 	options.c_cc[VTIME] = 2;
 	options.c_cc[VMIN] = 0;
 	if( tcsetattr( fd, TCSANOW, &options ) < 0 )