diff --git a/compat/forkpty-aix.c b/compat/forkpty-aix.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6d4f5327
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compat/forkpty-aix.c
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+/* $Id: forkpty-aix.c,v 1.1 2009-03-31 21:23:18 nicm Exp $ */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2009 Nicholas Marriott <nicm@users.sourceforge.net>
+ *
+ * Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
+ * purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+ * copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+ * WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+ * MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+ * ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+ * WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF MIND, USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER
+ * IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/ioctl.h>
+
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stropts.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+#include "tmux.h"
+
+pid_t
+forkpty(int *master,
+    unused char *name, unused struct termios *tio, struct winsize *ws)
+{
+	int	slave;
+	char   *path;
+	pid_t	pid;
+
+	if ((*master = open("/dev/ptc", O_RDWR|O_NOCTTY)) == -1)
+		return (-1);
+	if (grantpt(*master) != 0)
+		goto out;
+	if (unlockpt(*master) != 0)
+		goto out;
+
+	if ((path = ptsname(*master)) == NULL)
+		goto out;
+	if ((slave = open(path, O_RDWR|O_NOCTTY)) == -1)
+		goto out;
+
+	switch (pid = fork()) {
+	case -1:
+		goto out;
+	case 0:
+		close(*master);
+
+		setsid();
+#ifdef TIOCSCTTY
+		if (ioctl(slave, TIOCSCTTY, NULL) == -1)
+			fatal("ioctl failed");
+#endif
+
+		if (ioctl(slave, TIOCSWINSZ, ws) == -1)
+			fatal("ioctl failed");
+
+		dup2(slave, 0);
+		dup2(slave, 1);
+		dup2(slave, 2);
+		if (slave > 2)
+			close(slave);
+		return (0);
+	}
+
+	close(slave);
+	return (pid);
+
+out:
+	if (*master != -1)
+		close(*master);
+	if (slave != -1)
+		close(slave);
+	return (-1);
+}