diff --git a/features.in/build-vm/image-scripts.d/04-inittab b/features.in/build-vm/image-scripts.d/04-inittab
index 9c99638d..ae93e61b 100755
--- a/features.in/build-vm/image-scripts.d/04-inittab
+++ b/features.in/build-vm/image-scripts.d/04-inittab
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh -e
 # we don't need no extra gettys in VMs
 [ -s /etc/inittab ] || exit 0
+# ...except when it's a real disk image, not a VM for sure
+[ `arch` = e2k ] && exit 0
 sed -i 's,^[3-9]\+:[0-9]\+:respawn:/sbin/mingetty.*,#&,' /etc/inittab