diff --git a/contrib/telnet/telnetd/telnetd.c b/contrib/telnet/telnetd/telnetd.c
--- a/contrib/telnet/telnetd/telnetd.c
+++ b/contrib/telnet/telnetd/telnetd.c
@@ -658,6 +658,11 @@
 	int err_; /* XXX */
 	int ptynum;
 
+	/*
+	 * Initialize the slc mapping table.
+	 */
+	get_slc_defaults();
+
 	/*
 	 * Find an available pty to use.
 	 */
@@ -741,11 +746,6 @@
 	struct stat statbuf;
 	int nfd;
 
-	/*
-	 * Initialize the slc mapping table.
-	 */
-	get_slc_defaults();
-
 	/*
 	 * Do some tests where it is desireable to wait for a response.
 	 * Rather than doing them slowly, one at a time, do them all