diff --git a/src/Main/fg_init.cxx b/src/Main/fg_init.cxx
index f9e2ed2ba..79fdf44af 100644
--- a/src/Main/fg_init.cxx
+++ b/src/Main/fg_init.cxx
@@ -655,7 +655,10 @@ int fgInitConfig ( int argc, char **argv, bool reinit )
         developerMode = simgear::strutils::to_bool(s);
     }
 
-    fgSetBool("/sim/developer-mode", developerMode);
+    auto node = fgGetNode("/sim/developer-mode", true);
+    // ensure this value survives reset
+    node->setAttribute(SGPropertyNode::PRESERVE, true);
+    node->setBoolValue(developerMode);
     sglog().setDeveloperMode(developerMode);
     
     static SimLogFileLine   simLogFileLine;