diff --git a/read.scm b/read.scm
index df2f97c..bb84f0c 100644
--- a/read.scm
+++ b/read.scm
@@ -442,6 +442,7 @@
                                readtable:read-improper-cdr)
                               port)))
 
+;;; Read strictly a proper list. This assumes that BOL has been read.
 (define readtable:read-proper-list
   (lambda (table port)
     (readtable:read-list-loop (readtable:table-for-list
@@ -451,6 +452,12 @@
                                 "expected proper list"))
                               port)))
 
+(define readtable:expect-proper-list
+  (lambda (table port)
+    (if (not (eqv? (port 'read) %bol))
+        (error 'expect-port-list 'no-list-found)
+        (readtable:read-proper-list table port))))
+
 ;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
 ;;; Reader for stuff that start with "#"
 ;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
@@ -600,6 +607,9 @@
    (cons "false" (lambda unused #f))
    (cons "t" (lambda unused #t))
    (cons "f" (lambda unused #f))
+   (cons "u8" (lambda (toplevel port)
+                (list 'bytevector
+                      (readtable:expect-proper-list toplevel port))))
    (cons "!fold-case"
          (lambda (toplevel port)
            (port 'fold-case! #t)
@@ -736,4 +746,4 @@
 (read-all "#0=(#0# not unix)")
 (read-all "#!no-fold-case #!fold-case #!NO-FOLD-CASE #false")
 (read-all "#!fold-case #TRUE")
-
+(read-all "#u8(x y z w)")