diff --git a/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card.v b/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card.v
index 95e5a18..2156b24 100644
--- a/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card.v
+++ b/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card.v
@@ -309,18 +309,25 @@ end
 
 // spi receiver  
 reg illegal_write_state /* synthesis noprune */;
-
+reg synced;
+   
 always @(posedge sd_sck or posedge sd_cs) begin
 	// cs is active low
 	if(sd_cs == 1) begin
 		bit_cnt <= 3'd0;
+	        synced <= 1'b0;
 	end else begin 
 		illegal_write_state <= 1'b0;
 		new_cmd_rcvd <= 1'b0;
 		buffer_write_strobe <= 1'b0;
 		req_io_wr <= 1'b0;
-		bit_cnt <= bit_cnt + 3'd1;
-		
+
+	        // wait for first 0 bit until start counting bits
+	        if(synced || !sd_sdi) begin
+		   synced <= 1'b1;		   
+		   bit_cnt <= bit_cnt + 3'd1;
+		end
+	   
 		// assemble byte
 		if(bit_cnt != 7)
 			sbuf[6:0] <= { sbuf[5:0], sd_sdi };
diff --git a/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card_tb.cpp b/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card_tb.cpp
index b44005e..de9e93f 100644
--- a/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card_tb.cpp
+++ b/tests/verilator/sdcard/sd_card_tb.cpp
@@ -156,6 +156,19 @@ u08 spiTransferFF() {
   return spiTransferByte(0xff);
 }
 
+void spiTx1(int i) {
+  while(i--) {
+    top->sd_sdi = 1;
+
+    dump();
+    top->sd_sck = 1;
+    dump();
+    top->sd_sck = 0;
+    dump();
+  }
+  dump();
+}
+
 #define DIR_INIT_MEMSIZE 16*1024
 u08 mem[DIR_INIT_MEMSIZE];
 char ROM_DIR[]="/atari800/rom";
diff --git a/tests/verilator/sdcard/spi.h b/tests/verilator/sdcard/spi.h
index 8508a84..6e18b88 100644
--- a/tests/verilator/sdcard/spi.h
+++ b/tests/verilator/sdcard/spi.h
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ u08 spiTransferByte(u08 data);
 // operates on a whole word (16-bits of data).
 u08 spiTransferFF();
 void spiTransferTwoFF();
+void spiTx1(int i);
 
 void spiDisplay(int i);