diff --git a/iso/overlay/home/bee/.profile b/iso/overlay/home/bee/.profile
index eced4a6..ede49c4 100644
--- a/iso/overlay/home/bee/.profile
+++ b/iso/overlay/home/bee/.profile
@@ -4,5 +4,7 @@ export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
 # so the KVM shows the graphical UI without switching VTs.
 if [ "$(tty 2>/dev/null)" = "/dev/tty1" ] \
     && [ -z "${DISPLAY:-}" ]; then
-    exec startx /usr/local/bin/bee-openbox-session -- :0 vt1 -nolisten tcp
+    startx /usr/local/bin/bee-openbox-session -- :0 vt1 -nolisten tcp
+    echo ""
+    echo "X session ended. Type 'startx' to retry or use the shell."
 fi