diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index d3267432a..885b665dd 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ from Processing and Wiring.
 
 UPDATES
 
+0007
+
+You can now use digital pins 0 and 1 for input or output until you call
+Serial.begin().
+
 0006 - 2006.10.21
 
 Mac version no longer requires Java 1.5, meaning it should run on 10.3.9.
diff --git a/targets/arduino/wiring.c b/targets/arduino/wiring.c
index ff22676fb..03a7f8619 100755
--- a/targets/arduino/wiring.c
+++ b/targets/arduino/wiring.c
@@ -523,6 +523,14 @@ int main(void)
 	// enable a2d conversions
 	sbi(ADCSRA, ADEN);
 	
+	// disconnect USART from pins 0 and 1 so they can be used as normal
+	// digital i/o; they will be reconnected in any call to Serial.begin()
+#if defined(__AVR_ATmega168__)
+	UCSR0B = 0;
+#else
+	UCSRB = 0;
+#endif
+
 	setup();
 	
 	for (;;)