diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 235a3fc..baa64bf 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ controls = {
     registered_on_press = {},
     registered_on_hold = {},
     registered_on_release = {},
+
+    --store player control data
+    players = {},
 }
 
 --api functions
@@ -22,6 +25,18 @@ function controls.register_on_release(callback)
     table.insert(controls.registered_on_release, callback)
 end
 
+minetest.register_on_joinplayer(function(player, _)
+    local pname = player:get_player_name()
+    local controls_names = player:get_player_control()
+
+    --note: could hardcode this, but this is more future proof in case minetest adds more controls
+    controls.players[pname] = {}
+    for key, _ in pairs(controls_names) do
+        controls.players[pname][key] = {false} --in theory its false when they join, but hard coding just in case
+    end
+end)
+
+--tests
 if(controls.testsmode) then
     dofile(controls.modpath .. "/test.lua")
 end
\ No newline at end of file