diff --git a/lib/srfi/38.scm b/lib/srfi/38.scm
index 9830970e..9650f309 100644
--- a/lib/srfi/38.scm
+++ b/lib/srfi/38.scm
@@ -187,6 +187,10 @@
         (define (read-named-char c in)
           (let ((name (read-name c in)))
             (cond ((assoc name named-chars string-ci=?) => cdr)
+                  ((and (or (eqv? c #\x) (eqv? c #\X))
+                        (string->number (substring name 1 (string-length name))
+                                        16))
+                   => integer->char)
                   (else (error "unknown char name" name)))))
         (define (read-type-id in)
           (let ((ch (peek-char in)))