diff --git a/core/hw/maple/maple_if.cpp b/core/hw/maple/maple_if.cpp
index e2defde0c..a8f76ab06 100644
--- a/core/hw/maple/maple_if.cpp
+++ b/core/hw/maple/maple_if.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include "hw/naomi/card_reader.h"
 
 #include <memory>
+
+// TODO: should we move these to maple folder?
 #include <sdl/dreamlink.h>
 #include <sdl/dreamconn.h>
 
diff --git a/core/sdl/dreamconn.cpp b/core/sdl/dreamconn.cpp
index a108f6479..bef379c69 100644
--- a/core/sdl/dreamconn.cpp
+++ b/core/sdl/dreamconn.cpp
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
  */
 #include "dreamconn.h"
 
-#ifdef USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER
 #include "hw/maple/maple_devs.h"
+#include "hw/maple/maple_if.h"
 #include "ui/gui.h"
 #include <cfg/option.h>
 #include <SDL.h>
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <setupapi.h>
 #endif
-#include <hw/maple/maple_if.h>
 
 // TODO: it doesn't seem sound to assume that only one dreamlink will need reconnecting at a time.
 std::shared_ptr<DreamLink> dreamlink_needs_reconnect = nullptr;
@@ -217,18 +216,9 @@ void DreamConn::connect() {
 
 	iostream.expires_from_now(std::chrono::duration<u32>::max());	// don't use a 64-bit based duration to avoid overflow
 
-	// TODO: unsure whether to adjust or to delete this condition. We need to stay connected to be notified if a peripheral gets plugged back in later on
-	if (true || (hasVmu() || hasRumble()))
-	{
-		NOTICE_LOG(INPUT, "Connected to DreamcastController[%d]: Type:%s, VMU:%d, Rumble Pack:%d", bus, getName().c_str(), hasVmu(), hasRumble());
-		maple_io_connected = true;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		WARN_LOG(INPUT, "DreamcastController[%d] connection: no VMU or Rumble Pack connected", bus);
-		disconnect();
-		return;
-	}
+	// Remain connected even if no devices were found, so that plugging one in later will be detected
+	NOTICE_LOG(INPUT, "Connected to DreamcastController[%d]: Type:%s, VMU:%d, Rumble Pack:%d", bus, getName().c_str(), hasVmu(), hasRumble());
+	maple_io_connected = true;
 }
 
 void DreamConn::disconnect() {
@@ -239,5 +229,3 @@ void DreamConn::disconnect() {
 
 	NOTICE_LOG(INPUT, "Disconnected from DreamcastController[%d]", bus);
 }
-
-#endif
diff --git a/core/sdl/dreamconn.h b/core/sdl/dreamconn.h
index 3759181e6..497586c73 100644
--- a/core/sdl/dreamconn.h
+++ b/core/sdl/dreamconn.h
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "dreamlink.h"
 
-#ifdef USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER
-
 #include <asio.hpp>
 #include <mutex>
 
@@ -101,5 +99,3 @@ public:
 
 	void disconnect() override;
 };
-
-#endif // USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER
diff --git a/core/sdl/dreamlink.cpp b/core/sdl/dreamlink.cpp
index 5e7f83043..ceea249ba 100644
--- a/core/sdl/dreamlink.cpp
+++ b/core/sdl/dreamlink.cpp
@@ -242,39 +242,4 @@ void DreamLinkGamepad::checkKeyCombo() {
 	if (ltrigPressed && rtrigPressed && startPressed)
 		gui_open_settings();
 }
-
-#else // USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER
-
-bool DreamLinkGamepad::isDreamcastController(int deviceIndex) {
-	return false;
-}
-DreamLinkGamepad::DreamLinkGamepad(int maple_port, int joystick_idx, SDL_Joystick* sdl_joystick)
-	: SDLGamepad(maple_port, joystick_idx, sdl_joystick) {
-}
-DreamLinkGamepad::~DreamLinkGamepad() {
-}
-void DreamLinkGamepad::set_maple_port(int port) {
-	SDLGamepad::set_maple_port(port);
-}
-void DreamLinkGamepad::registered() {
-}
-bool DreamLinkGamepad::gamepad_btn_input(u32 code, bool pressed) {
-	return SDLGamepad::gamepad_btn_input(code, pressed);
-}
-bool DreamLinkGamepad::gamepad_axis_input(u32 code, int value) {
-	return SDLGamepad::gamepad_axis_input(code, value);
-}
-void DreamLinkGamepad::resetMappingToDefault(bool arcade, bool gamepad) {
-	SDLGamepad::resetMappingToDefault(arcade, gamepad);
-}
-const char *DreamLinkGamepad::get_button_name(u32 code) {
-	return SDLGamepad::get_button_name(code);
-}
-const char *DreamLinkGamepad::get_axis_name(u32 code) {
-	return SDLGamepad::get_axis_name(code);
-}
-std::shared_ptr<InputMapping> DreamLinkGamepad::getDefaultMapping() {
-	return SDLGamepad::getDefaultMapping();
-}
-
 #endif
diff --git a/core/sdl/dreamlink.h b/core/sdl/dreamlink.h
index 4bcad3742..5503d8897 100644
--- a/core/sdl/dreamlink.h
+++ b/core/sdl/dreamlink.h
@@ -18,22 +18,21 @@
  */
 #pragma once
 
-// This file contains abstraction layer for access to different kinds of physical controllers
+// This file contains abstraction layer for access to different kinds of remote peripherals.
+// This includes both real Dreamcast controllers, VMUs, rumble packs etc. but also emulated VMUs.
 
 #include "types.h"
 #include "emulator.h"
+
+#if (defined(_WIN32) || defined(__linux__) || (defined(__APPLE__) && defined(TARGET_OS_MAC))) && !defined(TARGET_UWP) && defined(USE_SDL)
+#define USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER 1
 #include "sdl_gamepad.h"
+#endif
 
 #include <functional>
 #include <memory>
 #include <array>
 
-#if (defined(_WIN32) || defined(__linux__) || (defined(__APPLE__) && defined(TARGET_OS_MAC))) && !defined(TARGET_UWP)
-#define USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER 1
-#endif
-
-#include <memory>
-
 struct MapleMsg
 {
 	u8 command = 0;
@@ -96,9 +95,11 @@ public:
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+#if defined(USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER)
 	//! Allows a DreamLink device to dictate the default mapping
 	virtual void setDefaultMapping(const std::shared_ptr<InputMapping>& mapping) const {
 	}
+#endif
 
 	//! Allows button names to be defined by a DreamLink device
 	//! @param[in] code The button code to retrieve name of
@@ -140,6 +141,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void disconnect() = 0;
 };
 
+#if defined(USE_DREAMCASTCONTROLLER)
 class DreamLinkGamepad : public SDLGamepad
 {
 public:
@@ -168,6 +170,7 @@ private:
 	bool startPressed = false;
 	std::string device_guid;
 };
+#endif
 
 extern std::vector<std::shared_ptr<DreamLink>> allDreamLinks;
 void createDreamLinkDevices(std::shared_ptr<DreamLink> dreamlink, bool gameStart);