diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRErrorStatus.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRErrorStatus.java
index 3d14c32afaa94..a197777038b33 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRErrorStatus.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRErrorStatus.java
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ public enum DSMRErrorStatus {
      * Serial port doesn't support the configured settings.
      */
     PORT_NOT_COMPATIBLE(true),
+    /**
+     * Serial port time out or illegal state.
+     */
+    PORT_PORT_TIMEOUT(false),
     /**
      * Reading data from the serial port failed.
      */
diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRSerialConnector.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRSerialConnector.java
index 550325e00ca2c..5e7dbb014f36d 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRSerialConnector.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.dsmr/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/dsmr/internal/device/connector/DSMRSerialConnector.java
@@ -172,6 +172,10 @@ public void open(final DSMRSerialSettings portSettings) {
                 logger.warn("Possible bug because a new serial port value was set during opening new port.");
                 errorStatus = DSMRErrorStatus.PORT_INTERNAL_ERROR;
             }
+        } catch (final IllegalStateException ise) {
+            logger.debug("Failed communicating, probably time out", ise);
+
+            errorStatus = DSMRErrorStatus.PORT_PORT_TIMEOUT;
         } catch (final IOException ioe) {
             logger.debug("Failed to get inputstream for serialPort", ioe);