diff --git a/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp b/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
index 4f38c0de215..de8c902b702 100644
--- a/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
+++ b/server/plugins/BELAUGens.cpp
@@ -690,6 +690,9 @@ void DigitalOut_Ctor(DigitalOut *unit)
         int writeMode = (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, unit->mDigitalPin );