diff --git a/_pytest/terminal.py b/_pytest/terminal.py
index 2fbe9c6b3..92caee3f4 100644
--- a/_pytest/terminal.py
+++ b/_pytest/terminal.py
@@ -34,9 +34,10 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
 def pytest_configure(config):
     config.option.verbose -= config.option.quiet
     # we try hard to make printing resilient against
-    # later changes on FD level.
+    # later changes on FD level. (unless capturing is turned off)
     stdout = py.std.sys.stdout
-    if hasattr(os, 'dup') and hasattr(stdout, 'fileno'):
+    capture = config.option.capture != "no"
+    if capture and hasattr(os, 'dup') and hasattr(stdout, 'fileno'):
         try:
             newstdout = py.io.dupfile(stdout, buffering=1,
                                       encoding=stdout.encoding)
diff --git a/testing/test_terminal.py b/testing/test_terminal.py
index 7007bcc67..290967072 100644
--- a/testing/test_terminal.py
+++ b/testing/test_terminal.py
@@ -677,6 +677,13 @@ def test_fdopen_kept_alive_issue124(testdir):
         "*2 passed*"
     ])
 
+def test_nofd_manipulation_with_capture_disabled(testdir):
+    from _pytest.terminal import pytest_configure
+    config = testdir.parseconfig("--capture=no")
+    stdout = sys.stdout
+    pytest_configure(config)
+    reporter = config.pluginmanager.getplugin('terminalreporter')
+    assert reporter._tw._file == stdout
 
 def test_tbstyle_native_setup_error(testdir):
     p = testdir.makepyfile("""
@@ -684,7 +691,7 @@ def test_tbstyle_native_setup_error(testdir):
         @pytest.fixture
         def setup_error_fixture():
             raise Exception("error in exception")
-            
+
         def test_error_fixture(setup_error_fixture):
             pass
     """)