diff --git a/pyad2usb/ad2usb.py b/pyad2usb/ad2usb.py
index 46bd08c..e7de0ac 100644
--- a/pyad2usb/ad2usb.py
+++ b/pyad2usb/ad2usb.py
@@ -188,12 +188,12 @@ class AD2USB(object):
         """
         pass
 
-    def open(self, baudrate=None, interface=None, index=None):
+    def open(self, baudrate=None, interface=None, index=None, no_read_thread=False):
         """
         Opens the device.
         """
         self._wire_events()
-        self._device.open(baudrate=baudrate, interface=interface, index=index)
+        self._device.open(baudrate=baudrate, interface=interface, index=index, no_read_thread=no_read_thread)
 
     def close(self):
         """
diff --git a/pyad2usb/devices.py b/pyad2usb/devices.py
index e54772a..be064fc 100644
--- a/pyad2usb/devices.py
+++ b/pyad2usb/devices.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class USBDevice(Device):
 
         self._read_thread = Device.ReadThread(self)
 
-    def open(self, baudrate=BAUDRATE, interface=None, index=0):
+    def open(self, baudrate=BAUDRATE, interface=None, index=0, no_read_thread=False):
         """
         Opens the device.
         """
@@ -143,7 +143,8 @@ class USBDevice(Device):
             raise util.CommError('Error opening AD2USB device: {0}'.format(str(err)))
         else:
             self._running = True
-            self._read_thread.start()
+            if not no_read_thread:
+                self._read_thread.start()
 
             self.on_open((self._serial_number, self._description))
 
@@ -164,7 +165,13 @@ class USBDevice(Device):
 
         self.on_close()
 
-    def close_reader(self):
+    def is_reader_alive(self):
+        """
+        Indicates whether or not the reader thread is alive.
+        """
+        return self._read_thread.is_alive()
+
+    def stop_reader(self):
         """
         Stops the reader thread.
         """
@@ -266,7 +273,7 @@ class SerialDevice(Device):
         """
         pass
 
-    def open(self, baudrate=BAUDRATE, interface=None, index=None):
+    def open(self, baudrate=BAUDRATE, interface=None, index=None, no_read_thread=False):
         """
         Opens the device.
         """
@@ -294,7 +301,8 @@ class SerialDevice(Device):
             self._running = True
             self.on_open((None, "AD2SERIAL"))   # TODO: Fixme.
 
-            self._read_thread.start()
+            if not no_read_thread:
+                self._read_thread.start()
 
     def close(self):
         """
@@ -310,7 +318,13 @@ class SerialDevice(Device):
 
         self.on_close()
 
-    def close_reader(self):
+    def is_reader_alive(self):
+        """
+        Indicates whether or not the reader thread is alive.
+        """
+        return self._read_thread.is_alive()
+
+    def stop_reader(self):
         """
         Stops the reader thread.
         """
@@ -398,7 +412,7 @@ class SocketDevice(Device):
         """
         pass
 
-    def open(self, baudrate=None, interface=None, index=0):
+    def open(self, baudrate=None, interface=None, index=0, no_read_thread=False):
         """
         Opens the device.
         """
@@ -416,7 +430,9 @@ class SocketDevice(Device):
             self._running = True
 
             self.on_open((None, "AD2SOCKET"))   # TEMP: Change me.
-            self._read_thread.start()
+
+            if not no_read_thread:
+                self._read_thread.start()
 
     def close(self):
         """
@@ -433,7 +449,13 @@ class SocketDevice(Device):
 
         self.on_close()
 
-    def close_reader(self):
+    def is_reader_alive(self):
+        """
+        Indicates whether or not the reader thread is alive.
+        """
+        return self._read_thread.is_alive()
+
+    def stop_reader(self):
         """
         Stops the reader thread.
         """
diff --git a/pyad2usb/util.py b/pyad2usb/util.py
index e0a115c..f31e231 100644
--- a/pyad2usb/util.py
+++ b/pyad2usb/util.py
@@ -113,12 +113,13 @@ class Firmware(object):
 
         stage_callback(Firmware.STAGE_START)
 
-        # Close the reader thread and wait for it to die, otherwise
-        # it interferes with our reading.
-        dev.close_reader()
-        while dev._read_thread.is_alive():
-            stage_callback(Firmware.STAGE_WAITING)
-            time.sleep(1)
+        if dev.is_reader_alive():
+            # Close the reader thread and wait for it to die, otherwise
+            # it interferes with our reading.
+            dev.stop_reader()
+            while dev._read_thread.is_alive():
+                stage_callback(Firmware.STAGE_WAITING)
+                time.sleep(1)
 
         try:
             # Reboot the device and wait for the boot loader.
diff --git a/test.py b/test.py
index 44cde72..a86c2ff 100755
--- a/test.py
+++ b/test.py
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ def handle_firmware(stage):
         sys.stdout.write('.')
         sys.stdout.flush()
     elif stage == pyad2usb.ad2usb.util.Firmware.STAGE_BOOT:
-        print "\r\nRebooting device.."
+        if handle_firmware.wait_tick > 0: print ""
+        print "Rebooting device.."
     elif stage == pyad2usb.ad2usb.util.Firmware.STAGE_LOAD:
         print 'Waiting for boot loader..'
     elif stage == pyad2usb.ad2usb.util.Firmware.STAGE_UPLOADING:
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ def handle_firmware(stage):
 def upload_usb():
     dev = pyad2usb.ad2usb.devices.USBDevice()
 
-    dev.open()
+    dev.open(no_read_thread=True)
     pyad2usb.ad2usb.util.Firmware.upload(dev, 'tmp/ademcoemu_V2_2a_6.hex', handle_firmware)
     dev.close()
 
@@ -204,6 +205,20 @@ def test_socket():
 
     a2u.close()
 
+def test_no_read_thread():
+    a2u = pyad2usb.ad2usb.Overseer.create()
+
+    a2u.on_open += handle_open
+    a2u.on_close += handle_close
+    a2u.on_read += handle_read
+    a2u.on_write += handle_write
+
+    a2u.open(no_read_thread=True)
+
+    print 'alive?', a2u._device._read_thread.is_alive()
+
+    a2u.close()
+
 try:
     signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal_handler)
 
@@ -214,11 +229,13 @@ try:
     #test_usb_serial()
     #test_factory()
     #test_factory_watcher()
-    #upload_usb()
+    upload_usb()
     #upload_usb_serial()
 
-    test_socket()
+    #test_socket()
     #upload_socket()
 
+    #test_no_read_thread()
+
 except Exception, err:
     traceback.print_exc(err)