diff --git a/src/conf_mode/system_console.py b/src/conf_mode/system_console.py
index b1781879..d78d4e0f 100755
--- a/src/conf_mode/system_console.py
+++ b/src/conf_mode/system_console.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import re
 
 from fileinput import input as replace_in_file
 from vyos.config import Config
-from vyos.util import call
+from vyos.util import cmd, call
 from vyos.template import render
 from vyos import ConfigError, airbag
 airbag.enable()
@@ -71,9 +71,19 @@ def verify(console):
 def generate(console):
     base_dir = '/etc/systemd/system'
     # Remove all serial-getty configuration files in advance
+    connected = []
+    for line in cmd('utmpdump /run/utmp').splitlines():
+        user_term = line.split('] [')[4].strip()
+        if 'ttyS' not in user_term:
+            continue
+        connected.append(user_term)
     for root, dirs, files in os.walk(base_dir):
         for basename in files:
             if 'serial-getty' in basename:
+                device = basename.split('@', 1)[1].replace('.service', '')
+                if device in connected:
+                    print(f'Warning: not restarting currently in use device {device}, please perform a manual restart later.')
+                    continue
                 call(f'systemctl stop {basename}')
                 os.unlink(os.path.join(root, basename))
 
@@ -85,6 +95,8 @@ def generate(console):
         getty_wants_symlink = base_dir + f'/getty.target.wants/serial-getty@{device}.service'
 
         render(config_file, 'getty/serial-getty.service.tmpl', console['device'][device])
+        if os.path.exists(getty_wants_symlink):
+            continue
         os.symlink(config_file, getty_wants_symlink)
 
     # GRUB
@@ -129,6 +141,9 @@ def apply(console):
         # Only start console if it exists on the running system. If a user
         # detaches a USB serial console and reboots - it should not fail!
         if os.path.exists(f'/dev/{device}'):
+            ret = call(f'systemctl is-active --quiet serial-getty@{device}.service')
+            if not ret:
+                continue
             call(f'systemctl start serial-getty@{device}.service')
 
     return None