diff --git a/mcp_can.cpp b/mcp_can.cpp
index 26970e2..2c32d2a 100644
--- a/mcp_can.cpp
+++ b/mcp_can.cpp
@@ -576,6 +576,9 @@ INT8U MCP_CAN::begin(INT8U speedset)
 {
     INT8U res;
 
+    MCP2515_UNSELECT();                                                 /* disable chip select to begin with */
+    pinMode(SPICS, OUTPUT);                                             /* make chip select pin an output */
+
     SPI.begin();
     res = mcp2515_init(speedset);
     if (res == MCP2515_OK) return CAN_OK;