diff --git a/sys/net/if_sl.c b/sys/net/if_sl.c
index 6d2b996bc4d7..f5fa1d1519ea 100644
--- a/sys/net/if_sl.c
+++ b/sys/net/if_sl.c
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ slcreate()
 #ifdef SLIP_IFF_OPTS
 	    SLIP_IFF_OPTS;
 #else
-	    IFF_POINTOPOINT | SC_AUTOCOMP | IFF_MULTICAST;
+	    IFF_POINTOPOINT | SC_AUTOCOMP | IFF_MULTICAST | IFF_NEEDSGIANT;
 #endif
 	sc->sc_if.if_type = IFT_SLIP;
 	sc->sc_if.if_ioctl = slioctl;
@@ -610,6 +610,8 @@ slstart(tp)
 	int s;
 	register int len = 0;
 
+	GIANT_REQUIRED;		/* tty */
+
 	for (;;) {
 		/*
 		 * Call output process whether or not there is more in the