diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 458030f6..046ef1d7 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Version 1.99.7 (2012-04-21 12:10:03) dev
+Version 1.99.7 (2012-04-21 12:17:32) dev
diff --git a/gluon/widget.py b/gluon/widget.py
index 3c2c5286..7045360f 100644
--- a/gluon/widget.py
+++ b/gluon/widget.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import math
 import logging
 import newcron
 import main
+import getpass
 
 from fileutils import w2p_pack, read_file, write_file
 from shell import run, test
@@ -942,7 +943,7 @@ def start(cron=True):
     # ## if no tk and no password, ask for a password
 
     if not root and options.password == '<ask>':
-        options.password = raw_input('choose a password:')
+        options.password = getpass.getpass('choose a password:')
 
     if not options.password and not options.nobanner:
         print 'no password, no admin interface'