diff --git a/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp b/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
index 235797d576b..7369ec8d064 100644
--- a/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
+++ b/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
@@ -679,6 +679,9 @@ void DigitalOut_Ctor(DigitalOut* unit) {
         (int)ZIN0(2); // method of writing; 1 = writeOnce; 0 = write on change -- cannot change after construction
     unit->mDigitalPin = (int)fDigital;
     unit->mLastOut = 0;
+    // initialize first buffer
+    pinMode(context, 0, unit->mDigitalPin, OUTPUT);
+    digitalWrite(context, 0, unit->mDigitalPin, unit->mLastOut);
 
     if ((unit->mDigitalPin < 0) || (unit->mDigitalPin >= context->digitalChannels)) {
         rt_printf("DigitalOut warning: digital pin must be between %i and %i, it is %i \n", 0, context->digitalChannels,