diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/rc/exec.c b/sys/src/cmd/rc/exec.c
index f73d72643..c0860a610 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/rc/exec.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/rc/exec.c
@@ -112,6 +112,21 @@ pushredir(int type, int from, int to)
 	runq->redir = rp;
 }
 
+void
+shuffleredir(void)
+{
+	redir **rr, *rp;
+
+	rp = runq->redir;
+	if(rp==0)
+		return;
+	runq->redir = rp->next;
+	rp->next = runq->startredir;
+	for(rr = &runq->redir; *rr != rp->next; rr = &((*rr)->next))
+		;
+	*rr = rp;
+}
+
 var*
 newvar(char *name, var *next)
 {
diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/rc/fns.h b/sys/src/cmd/rc/fns.h
index d0519d6cf..6c1c34f87 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/rc/fns.h
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/rc/fns.h
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ void	readhere(void);
 word*	searchpath(char*);
 void	setstatus(char*);
 void	setvar(char*, word*);
+void	shuffleredir(void);
 void	skipnl(void);
 void	start(code*, int, var*);
 int	truestatus(void);
diff --git a/sys/src/cmd/rc/havefork.c b/sys/src/cmd/rc/havefork.c
index 6985d6e25..09d620332 100644
--- a/sys/src/cmd/rc/havefork.c
+++ b/sys/src/cmd/rc/havefork.c
@@ -177,7 +177,8 @@ Xpipefd(void)
 	default:
 		addwaitpid(pid);
 		close(sidefd);
-		pushredir(ROPEN, mainfd, mainfd);	/* isn't this a noop? */
+		pushredir(ROPEN, mainfd, mainfd);
+		shuffleredir();	/* shuffle redir to bottom of stack for turfredir() */
 		strcpy(name, Fdprefix);
 		inttoascii(name+strlen(name), mainfd);
 		pushword(name);