diff --git a/src/pkg/runtime/print.c b/src/pkg/runtime/print.c
index b642999a1d5..5b601599bc9 100644
--- a/src/pkg/runtime/print.c
+++ b/src/pkg/runtime/print.c
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ vprintf(int8 *s, byte *base)
 		narg = 0;
 		switch(*p) {
 		case 't':
+		case 'c':
 			narg = arg + 1;
 			break;
 		case 'd':	// 32-bit
@@ -126,6 +127,9 @@ vprintf(int8 *s, byte *base)
 		case 'a':
 			runtime·printslice(*(Slice*)v);
 			break;
+		case 'c':
+			runtime·printbyte(*(int8*)v);
+			break;
 		case 'd':
 			runtime·printint(*(int32*)v);
 			break;
@@ -202,6 +206,12 @@ runtime·printbool(bool v)
 	gwrite((byte*)"false", 5);
 }
 
+void
+runtime·printbyte(int8 c)
+{
+	gwrite(&c, 1);
+}
+
 void
 runtime·printfloat(float64 v)
 {
diff --git a/src/pkg/runtime/runtime.h b/src/pkg/runtime/runtime.h
index 77f60cb4b58..a787cad563d 100644
--- a/src/pkg/runtime/runtime.h
+++ b/src/pkg/runtime/runtime.h
@@ -817,6 +817,7 @@ void*	runtime·getcallerpc(void*);
  * runtime go-called
  */
 void	runtime·printbool(bool);
+void	runtime·printbyte(int8);
 void	runtime·printfloat(float64);
 void	runtime·printint(int64);
 void	runtime·printiface(Iface);