diff --git a/vl.h b/vl.h
index 485ccc0..1f1e9e4 100644
--- a/vl.h
+++ b/vl.h
@@ -200,8 +200,6 @@
                                IOReadHandler *fd_read, void *opaque);
 void qemu_chr_add_event_handler(CharDriverState *s, IOEventHandler *chr_event);
                                
-CharDriverState *serial_hd;
-
 /* consoles */
 
 typedef struct DisplayState DisplayState;
@@ -214,6 +212,12 @@
 CharDriverState *text_console_init(DisplayState *ds);
 void console_select(unsigned int index);
 
+/* serial ports */
+
+#define MAX_SERIAL_PORTS 4
+
+extern CharDriverState *serial_hds[MAX_SERIAL_PORTS];
+
 /* network redirectors support */
 
 #define MAX_NICS 8