diff --git a/src/input/virtualboy.cpp b/src/input/virtualboy.cpp
index a689309d..0998da17 100644
--- a/src/input/virtualboy.cpp
+++ b/src/input/virtualboy.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ void UpdateVB(int w, void *data, int arg)
 	{
 		vbrdata[w]|=(((*(uint32 *)data)>>x)&1)<<x;
 	}
+	vbrdata[w]|=(1<<14); // fixed signature bit
 }
 
 static INPUTC VirtualBoyCtrl={ReadVB,0,StrobeVB,UpdateVB,0,0};