diff --git a/gnu/system/grub.scm b/gnu/system/grub.scm
index b18b8be6d..b04d9d346 100644
--- a/gnu/system/grub.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/grub.scm
@@ -197,7 +197,8 @@ system string---e.g., \"x86_64-linux\"."
     insmod efi_uga
   fi
 
-  terminal_output gfxterm
+  ;; Use the ncurses-type GRUB interface
+  terminal_output console
 "
         ""))
 
diff --git a/gnu/system/install.scm b/gnu/system/install.scm
index 3ec343570..301b7b98f 100644
--- a/gnu/system/install.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/install.scm
@@ -275,6 +275,12 @@ You have been warned.  Thanks for being so brave.
                              (tty "tty1")
                              (auto-login "root")))
 
+          (agetty-service (agetty-configuration
+                            (tty "ttyS0")
+                            (term "vt100")
+                            (extra "-L")
+                            (baud-rate "115200")))
+
           (login-service (login-configuration
                           (motd motd)))
 
@@ -340,6 +346,9 @@ Use Alt-F2 for documentation.
     (host-name "gnu")
     (timezone "Europe/Paris")
     (locale "en_US.utf8")
+    (kernel linux-libre-4.1)
+    (kernel-arguments
+     '("console=ttyS0,115200n8 gfxpayload=text earlyprintk=serial,ttyS0,115200"))
     (bootloader (grub-configuration
                  (device "/dev/sda")))
     (file-systems