diff --git a/openrtx/src/core/openrtx.c b/openrtx/src/core/openrtx.c
index 8f3096af..7020e446 100644
--- a/openrtx/src/core/openrtx.c
+++ b/openrtx/src/core/openrtx.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include <interfaces/delays.h>
 #include <interfaces/cps_io.h>
 #include <interfaces/gps.h>
+#include <voicePrompts.h>
 #include <graphics.h>
 #include <openrtx.h>
 #include <threads.h>
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ void openrtx_init()
     gfx_init();         // Initialize display and graphics driver
     kbd_init();         // Initialize keyboard driver
     ui_init();          // Initialize user interface
+    vpCacheInit();      // Checks to see if voice prompts are loaded and initializes them
     #ifdef SCREEN_CONTRAST
     display_setContrast(state.settings.contrast);
     #endif
diff --git a/openrtx/src/core/voicePrompts.c b/openrtx/src/core/voicePrompts.c
index c7b57775..45ef3b22 100644
--- a/openrtx/src/core/voicePrompts.c
+++ b/openrtx/src/core/voicePrompts.c
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
+#include "interfaces/keyboard.h"
 #include "core/voicePrompts.h"
 #include "ui/UIStrings.h"
 #include <state.h>
@@ -104,8 +105,16 @@ void vpCacheInit(void)
 		vpDataIsLoaded = false; //SPI_Flash_read(VOICE_PROMPTS_FLASH_HEADER_ADDRESS + sizeof(voicePromptsDataHeader_t), (uint8_t *)&tableOfContents, sizeof(uint32_t) * VOICE_PROMPTS_TOC_SIZE);
 		vpFlashDataAddress =  VOICE_PROMPTS_FLASH_HEADER_ADDRESS + sizeof(voicePromptsDataHeader_t) + sizeof(uint32_t)*VOICE_PROMPTS_TOC_SIZE ;
 	}
-	if (!vpDataIsLoaded)
-		state.settings.vpLevel = vpNone;
+	if (vpDataIsLoaded)
+	{// if the hash key is down, set vpLevel to high, if beep or less.
+		if ((kbd_getKeys() & KEY_HASH) && (state.settings.vpLevel <= vpBeep))
+			state.settings.vpLevel = vpHigh; 
+	}
+	else
+	{ // ensure we at least have beeps in the event no voice prompts are loaded.
+		if (state.settings.vpLevel > vpBeep)
+			state.settings.vpLevel = vpBeep; 
+	}
 }
 
 bool vpCheckHeader(uint32_t *bufferAddress)