diff --git a/dist/tools/pyterm/pyterm b/dist/tools/pyterm/pyterm
index a7e77526b9..13088b37d5 100755
--- a/dist/tools/pyterm/pyterm
+++ b/dist/tools/pyterm/pyterm
@@ -675,10 +675,6 @@ class PytermClientFactory(ReconnectingClientFactory):
                                                          reason)
 
 
-def __stop_reactor(signum, stackframe):
-    sys.stderr.write("Ctrl-C is disabled, type '/exit' instead\n")
-
-
 class fdsocket(socket.socket):
     def read(self, bufsize):
         return self.recv(bufsize)
@@ -758,13 +754,15 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                      args.log_dir_name, args.newline, args.format, args.prompt)
     myshell.prompt = ''
 
-    if args.server and args.tcp_port:
-        myfactory = PytermClientFactory(myshell)
-        reactor.connectTCP(args.server, args.tcp_port, myfactory)
-        myshell.factory = myfactory
-        reactor.callInThread(myshell.cmdloop, "Welcome to pyterm!\n"
-                                              "Type '/exit' to exit.")
-        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, __stop_reactor)
-        reactor.run()
-    else:
-        myshell.cmdloop("Welcome to pyterm!\nType '/exit' to exit.")
+    try:
+        if args.server and args.tcp_port:
+            myfactory = PytermClientFactory(myshell)
+            reactor.connectTCP(args.server, args.tcp_port, myfactory)
+            myshell.factory = myfactory
+            reactor.callInThread(myshell.cmdloop, "Welcome to pyterm!\n"
+                                                  "Type '/exit' to exit.")
+            reactor.run()
+        else:
+            myshell.cmdloop("Welcome to pyterm!\nType '/exit' to exit.")
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        myshell.do_PYTERM_exit(None)