diff --git a/src/racket/src/port.c b/src/racket/src/port.c
index 4bea5deadc..d78b21bb7c 100644
--- a/src/racket/src/port.c
+++ b/src/racket/src/port.c
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ void scheme_check_place_port_ok()
 {
 # if defined(FILES_HAVE_FDS)
 #  ifndef USE_OSKIT_CONSOLE
-  if (!external_event_fd) {
+  if (!external_event_fd && !put_external_event_fd) {
     scheme_signal_error("place: scheduler pipe failed");
   }
 #  endif