diff --git a/serial/tools/miniterm.py b/serial/tools/miniterm.py
index 812f146..b2d4adb 100644
--- a/serial/tools/miniterm.py
+++ b/serial/tools/miniterm.py
@@ -809,6 +809,13 @@
         default=default_dtr)
 
     group.add_argument(
+        "--non-exclusive",
+        dest="exclusive",
+        action="store_false",
+        help="disable locking for native ports",
+        default=True)
+
+    group.add_argument(
         "--ask",
         action="store_true",
         help="ask again for port when open fails",
@@ -929,6 +936,9 @@
                     sys.stderr.write('--- forcing RTS {}\n'.format('active' if args.rts else 'inactive'))
                 serial_instance.rts = args.rts
 
+            if isinstance(serial_instance, serial.Serial):
+                serial_instance.exclusive = args.exclusive
+
             serial_instance.open()
         except serial.SerialException as e:
             sys.stderr.write('could not open port {!r}: {}\n'.format(args.port, e))