diff --git a/include/SDL_config_iphoneos.h b/include/SDL_config_iphoneos.h
index e6a1dea92..f953efef7 100644
--- a/include/SDL_config_iphoneos.h
+++ b/include/SDL_config_iphoneos.h
@@ -140,6 +140,9 @@
 /* enable iPhone keyboard support */
 #define SDL_IPHONE_KEYBOARD 1
 
+/* enable joystick subsystem */
+#define SDL_JOYSTICK_DISABLED 0
+
 /* Set max recognized G-force from accelerometer
    See src/joystick/uikit/SDLUIAccelerationDelegate.m for notes on why this is needed
  */