Joystick buttons don't reset on application start

I've noticed if I hold down a joystick button on start (in the editor or windows complied), Input.GetButton("button") return false, until I release the button and then press it again. I'd expect it to be true if I'm holding it, including when the game loads.

Its like Unity doesn't poll the buttons on application run, and they all default to false.

Its a big problem as we have a custom joystick with a multi-position switch, the switch positions are bound to joystick buttons, and it might be that a switch position is pressing a button when my game loads. I have to toggle the switch before it engages properly.

I've tried Input.GetButtonUp("button"), again it doesn't trigger until I let go of the button, press it, and then let go again.

Am I missing something or is this a Unity bug?

Help is very much appreciated.