diff --git a/src/orca/braille.py b/src/orca/braille.py
index 5c92ccd..1587df7 100644
--- a/src/orca/braille.py
+++ b/src/orca/braille.py
@@ -1719,6 +1719,15 @@ def init(callback=None, tty=7):
                 "Braille module has been initialized using WINDOWPATH=" \
                 + "%s" % windowPath)
         except:
+          try:
+            vtnr = os.environ["XDG_VTNR"]
+            _brlAPI.enterTtyModeWithPath()
+            _brlAPIRunning = True
+            debug.println(\
+                debug.LEVEL_CONFIGURATION,
+                "Braille module has been initialized using XDG_VTNR=" \
+                + "%s" % vtnr)
+          except:
             _brlAPI.enterTtyMode(tty)
             _brlAPIRunning = True
             debug.println(\
