diff --git a/src/syncterm/CHANGES b/src/syncterm/CHANGES
index c80c8026bc59ed4573b1ae1330961eee220d1d0c..0b1ff0b8bd7a80c206d2d5809c8c57605b1ce629 100644
--- a/src/syncterm/CHANGES
+++ b/src/syncterm/CHANGES
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Support copy/paste in BBS list
 Show current list path, not default in File Locations
 Explicitly set serial port to 8N1
 Add support bit data bits, stop bits, and parity
+Drain modem buffer before sending init command
 
 Version 1.2rc6
 --------------
diff --git a/src/syncterm/modem.c b/src/syncterm/modem.c
index 8ca6eec451c6a13276c0bb036e6623f6715bde58..fd8b8f831ec62cdf055772e834526252bb5aadd8 100644
--- a/src/syncterm/modem.c
+++ b/src/syncterm/modem.c
@@ -255,6 +255,10 @@ modem_connect(struct bbslist *bbs)
 		while (kbhit())
 			getch();
 
+		/* Drain modem output buffer */
+		while (comReadByte(com, respbuf))
+			;
+
 		if (!bbs->hidepopups)
 			uifc.pop("Initializing...");