diff --git a/lib/Session.cpp b/lib/Session.cpp
index 29c97c4..b990c0c 100644
--- a/lib/Session.cpp
+++ b/lib/Session.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ Session::Session(QObject* parent) :
 
     //create teletype for I/O with shell process
     _shellProcess = new Pty();
+    ptySlaveFd = _shellProcess->pty()->slaveFd();
 
     //create emulation backend
     _emulation = new Vt102Emulation();
@@ -939,6 +940,10 @@ int Session::processId() const
 {
     return _shellProcess->pid();
 }
+int Session::getPtySlaveFd() const
+{
+    return ptySlaveFd;
+}
 
 SessionGroup::SessionGroup()
         : _masterMode(0)
diff --git a/lib/Session.h b/lib/Session.h
index b3a389f..988d71d 100644
--- a/lib/Session.h
+++ b/lib/Session.h
@@ -363,6 +363,13 @@ public:
 //  void cancelZModem();
 //  bool isZModemBusy() { return _zmodemBusy; }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a pty slave file descriptor.
+     * This can be used for display and control
+     * a remote terminal.
+     */
+    int getPtySlaveFd() const;
+
 public slots:
 
     /**
@@ -543,6 +550,8 @@ private:
 
     static int lastSessionId;
 
+    int ptySlaveFd;
+
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/lib/qtermwidget.cpp b/lib/qtermwidget.cpp
index 1b4f4a1..1c8fc6c 100644
--- a/lib/qtermwidget.cpp
+++ b/lib/qtermwidget.cpp
@@ -619,3 +619,7 @@ Filter::HotSpot* QTermWidget::getHotSpotAt(int row, int column) const
     return m_impl->m_terminalDisplay->filterChain()->hotSpotAt(row, column);
 }
 
+int QTermWidget::getPtySlaveFd() const
+{
+    return m_impl->m_session->getPtySlaveFd();
+}
diff --git a/lib/qtermwidget.h b/lib/qtermwidget.h
index de1da2f..1b16bb3 100644
--- a/lib/qtermwidget.h
+++ b/lib/qtermwidget.h
@@ -165,6 +165,13 @@ public:
      */
     Filter::HotSpot* getHotSpotAt(int row, int column) const;
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a pty slave file descriptor.
+     * This can be used for display and control
+     * a remote terminal.
+     */
+    int getPtySlaveFd() const;
+
 signals:
     void finished();
     void copyAvailable(bool);