diff --git a/idl/mdsconnect.pro b/idl/mdsconnect.pro
index 41c27ea75a..77e5fea488 100644
--- a/idl/mdsconnect.pro
+++ b/idl/mdsconnect.pro
@@ -5,9 +5,13 @@ case (!version.os) of
 endcase
 end
 
+function sockmin
+  if !version.os eq 'linux' then return, 0 else return, 11-(!version.os eq 'MacOS')
+end
+
 function mds$socket,quiet=quiet,status=status,socket=socket
   status = 1
-  sockmin=1l-(!version.os eq 'MacOS')
+  sockmin=sockmin()
   sock=sockmin-1
   if (keyword_set(socket)) then $
       if (socket ge sockmin) then $
@@ -116,7 +120,7 @@ pro mds$connect,host,status=status,quiet=quiet,port=port
   endif
   if (!version.release ne '5.0.3') then !ERROR_STATE.MSG="About to connect"
   sock = call_external(MdsIPImage(),'IdlConnectToMds',host,value=[byte(!version.os ne 'windows')])
-  sockmin=1l-(!version.os eq 'MacOS')
+  sockmin=sockmin()
   if (sock ge sockmin) then begin
     status = 1
     !MDS_SOCKET = sock
@@ -158,7 +162,7 @@ pro mdsconnect,host,status=status,quiet=quiet,port=port,socket=socket
   endif
 
   sock = call_external(MdsIPImage(),'IdlConnectToMds',host,value=[byte(!version.os ne 'windows')])
-  sockmin=1l-(!version.os eq 'MacOS')
+  sockmin=sockmin()
   if (sock ge sockmin) then begin
     status = 1
     if not keyword_set(socket) then $