Index: stand/i386/gptboot/gptboot.c
===================================================================
--- stand/i386/gptboot/gptboot.c
+++ stand/i386/gptboot/gptboot.c
@@ -285,6 +285,16 @@
 	bootinfo.bi_memsizes_valid++;
 	bootinfo.bi_bios_dev = dsk.drive;
 
+	/*
+	 * Initialize the serial console early with a modern default of 115200.
+	 * Later, we'll read PATH_DOTCONFIG and reconfigure serial according
+	 * to the configuration provided.
+	 */
+	opts = OPT_SET(RBX_DUAL);
+	ioctrl = (IO_SERIAL|IO_KEYBOARD);
+	if (sio_init(115200) != 0)
+		ioctrl &= ~IO_SERIAL;
+
 #ifdef LOADER_GELI_SUPPORT
 	geli_init();
 #endif
Index: stand/i386/zfsboot/zfsboot.c
===================================================================
--- stand/i386/zfsboot/zfsboot.c
+++ stand/i386/zfsboot/zfsboot.c
@@ -693,6 +693,16 @@
     }
     setheap(heap_next, heap_end);
 
+    /*
+     * Initialize the serial console early with a modern default of 115200.
+     * Later, we'll read PATH_DOTCONFIG and reconfigure serial according
+     * to the configuration provided.
+     */
+    opts = OPT_SET(RBX_DUAL);
+    ioctrl = (IO_SERIAL|IO_KEYBOARD);
+    if (sio_init(115200) != 0)
+	ioctrl &= ~IO_SERIAL;
+
     dsk = malloc(sizeof(struct dsk));
     dsk->drive = *(uint8_t *)PTOV(ARGS);
     dsk->type = dsk->drive & DRV_HARD ? TYPE_AD : TYPE_FD;