diff --git a/selfdrive/car/__init__.py b/selfdrive/car/__init__.py
index 5750fb9e46..cc263312a5 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/__init__.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/__init__.py
@@ -22,13 +22,9 @@ def apply_hysteresis(val: float, val_steady: float, hyst_gap: float) -> float:
 
 
 def create_button_events(cur_btn: int, prev_btn: int, buttons_dict: Dict[int, capnp.lib.capnp._EnumModule],
-                         unpressed_btn: int = 0, init_btn: Optional[int] = None) -> List[capnp.lib.capnp._DynamicStructBuilder]:
+                         unpressed_btn: int = 0) -> List[capnp.lib.capnp._DynamicStructBuilder]:
   events: List[capnp.lib.capnp._DynamicStructBuilder] = []
 
-  # Initialized to unpressed, don't add any events
-  if cur_btn == unpressed_btn and prev_btn == init_btn:
-    return events
-
   # Add events for button presses, handling when a button switches without going to unpressed
   if cur_btn != prev_btn:
     for pressed, btn in ((False, prev_btn), (True, cur_btn)):
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/gm/interface.py b/selfdrive/car/gm/interface.py
index 871df9fc8f..c81f585189 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/gm/interface.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/gm/interface.py
@@ -205,8 +205,9 @@ class CarInterface(CarInterfaceBase):
   def _update(self, c):
     ret = self.CS.update(self.cp, self.cp_cam, self.cp_loopback)
 
-    ret.buttonEvents = create_button_events(self.CS.cruise_buttons, self.CS.prev_cruise_buttons, BUTTONS_DICT,
-                                            unpressed_btn=CruiseButtons.UNPRESS, init_btn=CruiseButtons.INIT)
+    if self.CS.cruise_buttons != CruiseButtons.UNPRESS or self.CS.prev_cruise_buttons != CruiseButtons.INIT:
+      ret.buttonEvents = create_button_events(self.CS.cruise_buttons, self.CS.prev_cruise_buttons, BUTTONS_DICT,
+                                              unpressed_btn=CruiseButtons.UNPRESS)
 
     # The ECM allows enabling on falling edge of set, but only rising edge of resume
     events = self.create_common_events(ret, extra_gears=[GearShifter.sport, GearShifter.low,