diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/pause-import.yml b/changelogs/fragments/pause-import.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c6b73f91670
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/pause-import.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bugfixes:
+- "pause - catch additional error on setting up curses (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/73588)."
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/pause.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/pause.py
index 88babe61b33..cb367091682 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/pause.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/pause.py
@@ -40,12 +40,13 @@ display = Display()
 
 try:
     import curses
+    import io
 
     # Nest the try except since curses.error is not available if curses did not import
     try:
         curses.setupterm()
         HAS_CURSES = True
-    except (curses.error, TypeError):
+    except (curses.error, TypeError, io.UnsupportedOperation):
         HAS_CURSES = False
 except ImportError:
     HAS_CURSES = False