diff --git a/selfdrive/car/car_helpers.py b/selfdrive/car/car_helpers.py
index 2af6df269..18f14ab37 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/car_helpers.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/car_helpers.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 from common.params import Params
 from common.basedir import BASEDIR
-from selfdrive.version import comma_remote, tested_branch
+from selfdrive.version import comma_remote, vw_community_remote, tested_branch
 from selfdrive.car.fingerprints import eliminate_incompatible_cars, all_known_cars
 from selfdrive.car.vin import get_vin, VIN_UNKNOWN
 from selfdrive.car.fw_versions import get_fw_versions, match_fw_to_car
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ EventName = car.CarEvent.EventName
 
 
 def get_startup_event(car_recognized, controller_available):
-  if comma_remote and tested_branch:
+  if (comma_remote or vw_community_remote) and tested_branch:
     event = EventName.startup
   else:
     event = EventName.startupMaster
diff --git a/selfdrive/version.py b/selfdrive/version.py
index ef975f894..1c4c4910d 100644
--- a/selfdrive/version.py
+++ b/selfdrive/version.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ branch = get_git_full_branchname()
 if (origin is not None) and (branch is not None):
   try:
     comma_remote = origin.startswith('git@github.com:commaai') or origin.startswith('https://github.com/commaai')
+    vw_community_remote = origin.startswith('git@github.com:jyoung8607') or origin.startswith('https://github.com/jyoung8607')
     tested_branch = get_git_branch() in ['devel', 'release2-staging', 'dashcam-staging', 'release2', 'dashcam']
 
     dirty = False