diff --git a/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-config.sh b/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-config.sh
index 85f89cb03d..2b13d0a792 100755
--- a/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-config.sh
+++ b/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-config.sh
@@ -18,12 +18,17 @@ if getargbool 0 rd.debug -d -y rdinitdebug -d -y rdnetdebug; then
     ) > /run/NetworkManager/conf.d/initrd-logging.conf
 
     if [ -n "$DRACUT_SYSTEMD" ]; then
-        mkdir -p /run/systemd/system/nm-initrd.service.d
-        cat << EOF > /run/systemd/system/nm-initrd.service.d/tty-output.conf
+        # Enable tty output if a usable console is found
+        # See https://github.com/coreos/fedora-coreos-tracker/issues/943
+        # shellcheck disable=SC2217
+        if [ -w /dev/console ] && (echo < /dev/console) > /dev/null 2> /dev/null; then
+            mkdir -p /run/systemd/system/nm-initrd.service.d
+            cat << EOF > /run/systemd/system/nm-initrd.service.d/tty-output.conf
 [Service]
 StandardOutput=tty
 EOF
-        systemctl --no-block daemon-reload
+            systemctl --no-block daemon-reload
+        fi
     fi
 fi
 
diff --git a/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-initrd.service b/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-initrd.service
index ad14e91ad1..3e24f52a0a 100644
--- a/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-initrd.service
+++ b/modules.d/35network-manager/nm-initrd.service
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ ExecReload=/usr/bin/busctl call org.freedesktop.NetworkManager /org/freedesktop/
 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/NetworkManager --debug
 KillMode=process
 # The following gets changed to StandardOutput=tty by nm-config.sh
-# when debug is enabled.
+# when debug is enabled and a usable console is found.
 StandardOutput=null
 Environment=NM_CONFIG_ENABLE_TAG=initrd
 Restart=on-failure