diff --git a/.zshenv b/.zshenv
index fcd4073..d34567b 100644
--- a/.zshenv
+++ b/.zshenv
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ SAVEHIST=100
 HISTSIZE=$SAVEHIST
 HISTFILE=~/.zhistory
 REPORTTIME=1
-TMOUT=0
 export PGPPATH=~/.pgp
 export PARINIT=q1
 export PARBODY=_A_a
diff --git a/.zshrc b/.zshrc
index e34afbb..9c7153a 100644
--- a/.zshrc
+++ b/.zshrc
@@ -54,4 +54,13 @@ cls()	{ clear; true }
 
 source ~/.znewterm
 
-TMOUT=3600
+# assume pseudo terminals are from a "safe" terminal
+# other terminals are probably from a console and should
+# auto-logout after some time.
+case `tty` in
+/dev/pts/*)
+    TMOUT=0
+    ;;
+*)
+    TMOUT=3600
+esac