diff --git a/Source/Plugins/Plugin_WiimoteNew/Src/WiimoteReal/WiimoteReal.cpp b/Source/Plugins/Plugin_WiimoteNew/Src/WiimoteReal/WiimoteReal.cpp
index 0c88f4b4f4..7b8366888d 100644
--- a/Source/Plugins/Plugin_WiimoteNew/Src/WiimoteReal/WiimoteReal.cpp
+++ b/Source/Plugins/Plugin_WiimoteNew/Src/WiimoteReal/WiimoteReal.cpp
@@ -348,6 +348,13 @@ void Shutdown(void)
 #ifdef __linux__
 void Refresh()
 {
+	// make sure real wiimotes have been initialized
+	if (!g_real_wiimotes_initialized)
+	{
+		Initialize();
+		return;
+	}
+
 	// find the number of slots configured for real wiimotes
 	unsigned int wanted_wiimotes = 0;
 	for (unsigned int i = 0; i < MAX_WIIMOTES; ++i)