diff --git a/otp.c b/otp.c
index 215de95..9ce67a8 100644
--- a/otp.c
+++ b/otp.c
@@ -2404,13 +2404,24 @@ int pipe_mode(int argc, char* argv[], const char* piped_text) {
         return 1;
     }
     
+    // Reopen stdin from the controlling terminal for interactive input
+    FILE* tty = fopen("/dev/tty", "r");
+    if (!tty) {
+        printf("Error: Cannot open terminal for input\n");
+        return 1;
+    }
+    
     printf("\nEnter pad selection (number, checksum, or prefix): ");
+    fflush(stdout);
+    
     char pad_input[MAX_HASH_LENGTH];
-    if (!fgets(pad_input, sizeof(pad_input), stdin)) {
+    if (!fgets(pad_input, sizeof(pad_input), tty)) {
         printf("Error: Failed to read pad selection\n");
+        fclose(tty);
         return 1;
     }
     pad_input[strcspn(pad_input, "\n")] = 0;
+    fclose(tty);
     
     // Encrypt the piped text
     return encrypt_text(pad_input, piped_text);