diff --git a/selfdrive/monitoring/dmonitoringd.py b/selfdrive/monitoring/dmonitoringd.py
index 4939d604d7..a7fb78a729 100755
--- a/selfdrive/monitoring/dmonitoringd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/monitoring/dmonitoringd.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ def dmonitoringd_thread(sm=None, pm=None):
   sm['carState'].cruiseState.speed = 0.
   sm['carState'].buttonEvents = []
   sm['carState'].steeringPressed = False
+  sm['carState'].gasPressed = False
   sm['carState'].standstill = True
 
   cal_rpy = [0, 0, 0]
@@ -56,7 +57,8 @@ def dmonitoringd_thread(sm=None, pm=None):
       v_cruise = sm['carState'].cruiseState.speed
       driver_engaged = len(sm['carState'].buttonEvents) > 0 or \
                         v_cruise != v_cruise_last or \
-                        sm['carState'].steeringPressed
+                        sm['carState'].steeringPressed or \
+                        sm['carState'].gasPressed
       if driver_engaged:
         driver_status.update(Events(), True, sm['carState'].cruiseState.enabled, sm['carState'].standstill)
       v_cruise_last = v_cruise