diff --git a/src/emu/cpu/tms9900/tms9900.c b/src/emu/cpu/tms9900/tms9900.c
index c39180a7eb7..9d1cc9a5cf7 100644
--- a/src/emu/cpu/tms9900/tms9900.c
+++ b/src/emu/cpu/tms9900/tms9900.c
@@ -220,6 +220,7 @@ void tms99xx_device::device_start()
 
 	m_state_any = 0;
 	PC = 0;
+	m_hold_state = false;
 
 	// add the states for the debugger
 	for (int i=0; i < 20; i++)