diff --git a/demo/gpct_simple_counting.c b/demo/gpct_simple_counting.c
index c05954a..d80cca3 100644
--- a/demo/gpct_simple_counting.c
+++ b/demo/gpct_simple_counting.c
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ int ni_gpct_start_simple_event_counting(comedi_t *device, unsigned subdevice)
 {
 	int retval;
 	lsampl_t counter_mode;
+	static const unsigned initial_count = 0;
 
 	retval = reset_counter(device, subdevice);
 	if(retval < 0) return retval;
@@ -63,6 +64,10 @@ int ni_gpct_start_simple_event_counting(comedi_t *device, unsigned subdevice)
 	retval = set_counter_mode(device, subdevice, counter_mode);
 	if(retval < 0) return retval;
 
+	/* set initial counter value by writing to channel 0.  The "load a" and "load b" registers can be
+	set by writing to channels 1 and 2 respectively. */
+	retval = comedi_data_write(device, subdevice, 0, 0, 0, initial_count);
+
 	retval = arm(device, subdevice, NI_GPCT_ARM_IMMEDIATE);
 	if(retval < 0) return retval;