diff --git a/protocol/sacn/universe.cpp b/protocol/sacn/universe.cpp
index 2b18606..c3d44bf 100644
--- a/protocol/sacn/universe.cpp
+++ b/protocol/sacn/universe.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ namespace sACN {
  */
 Universe::Universe(Source* src)
     : DMX::Universe(E131_NETWORK_DATA_LOSS_TIMEOUT)
-    , active_data_slots(0)
+    , active_data_slots(1)  // start code
     , provenance_(std::make_shared<DATA::data_header>())
     , source_(src)
     , tx_worker_(&Universe::tx_loop_, this)
@@ -360,9 +360,6 @@ void Universe::synchronize(uint8_t sequence_number)
  */
 void Universe::sACNsend() const
 {
-  if (!active_data_slots)
-    return;
-
   /// > \cite sACN 6.2.5 E1.31 Data Packet: Sequence Number
   /// >
   /// > ... The sequence number for a universe shall be incremented by one for
@@ -480,8 +477,7 @@ void Universe::tx_loop_()
 
       if (enable)
         {
-          if (active_data_slots)
-              setStatus(Status::DMX_ACTIVE);
+          setStatus(Status::DMX_ACTIVE);
         }
       else
         {