diff --git a/sim_ether.c b/sim_ether.c
index 70065ef6..4f798870 100644
--- a/sim_ether.c
+++ b/sim_ether.c
@@ -2922,6 +2922,7 @@ if (0 == strncmp("tap:", savname, 4)) {
         }
       else {
         *eth_api = ETH_API_TAP;
+        *handle = (void *)1;  /* Flag used to indicated open */
         *fd_handle = (SOCKET)tun;
         strcpy(savname, ifr.ifr_name);
         return SCPE_OK;
@@ -2983,6 +2984,7 @@ if (0 == strncmp("tap:", savname, 4)) {
       }
     else {
       *eth_api = ETH_API_TAP;
+      *handle = (void *)1;  /* Flag used to indicated open */
       *fd_handle = (SOCKET)tun;
       return SCPE_OK;
       }