diff --git a/src/emu/bus/sms_exp/gender.c b/src/emu/bus/sms_exp/gender.c
index 1bda24ca090..60cdbbb17d6 100644
--- a/src/emu/bus/sms_exp/gender.c
+++ b/src/emu/bus/sms_exp/gender.c
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ sms_gender_adapter_device::sms_gender_adapter_device(const machine_config &mconf
 
 void sms_gender_adapter_device::device_start()
 {
+	if (m_subslot->m_cart)
+		m_subslot->m_cart->save_ram();
 }