diff --git a/server/char-device.cpp b/server/char-device.cpp
index e28a1919..cf527001 100644
--- a/server/char-device.cpp
+++ b/server/char-device.cpp
@@ -947,3 +947,14 @@ RedCharDevice::RedCharDevice(RedsState *reds, SpiceCharDeviceInstance *sin,
 
     g_queue_init(&priv->write_queue);
 }
+
+int RedCharDevice::read(uint8_t *buf, int len)
+{
+    auto sif = spice_char_device_get_interface(priv->sin);
+
+    int ret = sif->read(priv->sin, buf, len);
+    if (ret > 0) {
+        priv->active = true;
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
diff --git a/server/char-device.h b/server/char-device.h
index 0f910bc0..5c453b78 100644
--- a/server/char-device.h
+++ b/server/char-device.h
@@ -174,6 +174,11 @@ public:
 
     SpiceCharDeviceInstance *get_device_instance();
 
+    /**
+     * Read data from device
+     */
+    int read(uint8_t *buf, int len);
+
     red::unique_link<RedCharDevicePrivate> priv;
 
 //protected: