diff --git a/common/console.c b/common/console.c
index 12293f3836..c7f3243431 100644
--- a/common/console.c
+++ b/common/console.c
@@ -687,15 +687,22 @@ int console_assign(int file, const char *devname)
 	return -1;
 }
 
+static void console_update_silent(void)
+{
+#ifdef CONFIG_SILENT_CONSOLE
+	if (getenv("silent") != NULL)
+		gd->flags |= GD_FLG_SILENT;
+	else
+		gd->flags &= ~GD_FLG_SILENT;
+#endif
+}
+
 /* Called before relocation - use serial functions */
 int console_init_f(void)
 {
 	gd->have_console = 1;
 
-#ifdef CONFIG_SILENT_CONSOLE
-	if (getenv("silent") != NULL)
-		gd->flags |= GD_FLG_SILENT;
-#endif
+	console_update_silent();
 
 	print_pre_console_buffer(PRE_CONSOLE_FLUSHPOINT1_SERIAL);
 
@@ -831,6 +838,8 @@ int console_init_r(void)
 	struct list_head *pos;
 	struct stdio_dev *dev;
 
+	console_update_silent();
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_SPLASH_SCREEN
 	/*
 	 * suppress all output if splash screen is enabled and we have