diff --git a/examples/modbus/modbus_main.c b/examples/modbus/modbus_main.c
index 70c9f03fd..2e7fea374 100644
--- a/examples/modbus/modbus_main.c
+++ b/examples/modbus/modbus_main.c
@@ -76,6 +76,10 @@
  ****************************************************************************/
 /* Configuration ************************************************************/
 
+#ifndef CONFIG_SERIAL_TERMIOS
+#  error "CONFIG_SERIAL_TERMIOS is needed by modbus example"
+#endif
+
 #ifndef CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MODBUS_PORT
 #  define CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MODBUS_PORT 0
 #endif
diff --git a/examples/modbusmaster/mbmaster_main.c b/examples/modbusmaster/mbmaster_main.c
index 943bf9c2f..34366bb73 100644
--- a/examples/modbusmaster/mbmaster_main.c
+++ b/examples/modbusmaster/mbmaster_main.c
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@
 
 /* modbus master port */
 
+#ifndef CONFIG_SERIAL_TERMIOS
+#  error "CONFIG_SERIAL_TERMIOS is needed by modbus example"
+#endif
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MODBUSMASTER_PORT
 #  define MBMASTER_PORT CONFIG_EXAMPLES_MODBUSMASTER_PORT
 #else
diff --git a/include/modbus/mbport.h b/include/modbus/mbport.h
index c6a2c0449..ab4a374f9 100644
--- a/include/modbus/mbport.h
+++ b/include/modbus/mbport.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
+#include <termios.h>
 
 /****************************************************************************
  * Public Types