diff --git a/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/README.md b/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/README.md
index 96326606252..2cf5a180ba9 100644
--- a/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/README.md
+++ b/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/README.md
@@ -68,10 +68,10 @@ _NOTE: These options are optional, in most circumstances you don't have to speci
 Allowed item types are `Contact` and `Switch`. Type `Contact` is used for input pins, `Switch` - for output pins. The configuration string is following:
 
 ```
-gpio="pin:PIN_NUMBER [debounce:DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL] [activelow:yes|no] [force:yes|no]"
+gpio="pin:PIN_NUMBER [debounce:DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL] [activelow:yes|no] [force:yes|no] [initialValue:high|low]"
 ```
 
-Key-value pairs are separated by space; their order isn't important. Character's case is also insignificant. Key-value pair `pin` is mandatory, `debounce` and `activelow` are optional. If omitted `activelow` is set to `no`, `debounce` - to global option in configuration file (`debounce`) or 0 (zero) if neither is specified. 
+Key-value pairs are separated by space; their order isn't important. Character's case is also insignificant. Key-value pair `pin` is mandatory, `debounce`, `activelow` and `initialValue` are optional. If omitted `activelow` is set to `no`, `debounce` - to global option in configuration file (`debounce`) or 0 (zero) if neither is specified, initialValue is set to LOW. 
 
 `PIN_NUMBER` is the number of the GPIO pin as seen by the kernel (not necessarily the same as the physical pin number).  
 
@@ -79,13 +79,15 @@ Key-value pairs are separated by space; their order isn't important. Character's
 
 When `activelow` is set to `no` (or omitted) the pins behaves normally: output pins will be set `high` on `ON` command and `low` on `OFF`, input pins will generate `OPEN` event when they are `high` and `CLOSED` when are `low`. However, if `activelow` is set to `yes` the logic is inverted: when `ON` command is sent to output pin it will be set to `low`, on `OFF` command - to `high`. Input pins will generate `OPEN` event when they are `low` and `CLOSED` event on `high`.
 
+`initialValue` is the state of the pin which is set during initialization. It is applicable only for oputput pins (item Switch) and can be HIGH or LOW.
+
 The "force" option can be used to forcefully get hold of the configured pin even if it is currently in use, so it automatically gets unexported and exported again.
 
 Examples:
 
 ```
 Switch LED "LED" { gpio="pin:1" }
-Switch NormallyClosedRelay "Normally Closed Relay" { gpio="pin:2 activelow:yes" }
+Switch NormallyClosedRelay "Normally Closed Relay" { gpio="pin:2 activelow:yes initialValue:high" }
 Contact NormallyOpenPushButton "Normally Open Push Button" { gpio="pin:3 debounce:10" }
 Contact PIR "PIR" { gpio="pin:4 activelow:yes" }
 Contact NormallyClosedPushButton "Normally Closed Push Button" { gpio="pin:5 debounce:10 activelow:yes" }
diff --git a/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/gpio/internal/GPIOGenericBindingProvider.java b/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/gpio/internal/GPIOGenericBindingProvider.java
index 620e01f8f85..90763e3a60f 100644
--- a/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/gpio/internal/GPIOGenericBindingProvider.java
+++ b/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.gpio/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/gpio/internal/GPIOGenericBindingProvider.java
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
  * <p>
  * Allowed item types in the configuration are "Switch" and "Contact".
  * "Switch" is used for output pins, "Contact" - input pins.
+ * 
  * </p>
  *
  * <p>
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@
  * </p>
  * <p>
  * <code>
- * gpio="pin:PIN_NUMBER [debounce:DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL] [activelow:yes|no] [force:yes|no]"
+ * gpio="pin:PIN_NUMBER [debounce:DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL] [activelow:yes|no] [force:yes|no] [initialValue:high|low]"
  * </code>
  * </p>
  * <p>
@@ -45,11 +46,12 @@
  * <br>
  * order of pairs isn't important, the same is valid for character's case
  * <br>
- * key "pin" is mandatory, "debounce", "activelow" and "force" are optional. If omitted
+ * key "pin" is mandatory, "debounce", "activelow", "force" and "initialValue" are optional. If omitted
  * "activelow" is set to "no", "debounce" - to global option in openHAB,
  * configuration file (gpio:debounce) or 0 (zero) if neither is specified
  * "force" - to global option in openHAB,
  * configuration file (gpio:force) or "no" if neither is specified
+ * "initialValue" - to LOW level
  * <br>
  * PIN_NUMBER is the number of the pin as seen by the kernel
  * <br>
@@ -68,7 +70,7 @@
  * gpio="pin:49"<br>
  * gpio="pin:49 debounce:10"<br>
  * gpio="pin:49 activelow:yes"<br>
- * gpio="pin:49 force:yes"<br>
+ * gpio="pin:49 force:yes initialValue:high"<br>
  * gpio="pin:49 debounce:10 activelow:yes"</code>
  * </p>
  *
@@ -176,6 +178,17 @@ public void processBindingConfiguration(String context, Item item, String bindin
                     throw new BindingConfigParseException("Unsupported value for activelow (" + value
                             + ") in configuration string '" + bindingConfig + "'");
                 }
+            } else if (key.compareToIgnoreCase("initialValue") == 0) {
+                if (value.compareToIgnoreCase("high") == 0) {
+                    config.direction = GPIOPin.DIRECTION_OUT_HIGH;
+                } else if (value.compareToIgnoreCase("low") == 0) {
+                    config.direction = GPIOPin.DIRECTION_OUT_LOW;
+                } else {
+                    logger.error("Unsupported value for initialValue (" + value + ") in configuration string '"
+                            + bindingConfig + "'");
+                    throw new BindingConfigParseException("Unsupported value for initialValue (" + value
+                            + ") in configuration string '" + bindingConfig + "'");
+                }
             } else {
                 logger.error("Unsupported key (" + key + ") in configuration string '" + bindingConfig + "'");
                 throw new BindingConfigParseException(
@@ -192,9 +205,6 @@ public void processBindingConfiguration(String context, Item item, String bindin
 
         if (item instanceof ContactItem) {
             config.direction = GPIOPin.DIRECTION_IN;
-        } else {
-            /* Item type 'Switch' */
-            config.direction = GPIOPin.DIRECTION_OUT;
         }
 
         addBindingConfig(item, config);
@@ -293,6 +303,6 @@ public class GPIOPinBindingConfig implements BindingConfig {
          * Pin direction. If item type is <code>Switch</code> the pin
          * direction is out, if <code>Contact</code> - in
          */
-        public int direction;
+        public int direction = GPIOPin.DIRECTION_OUT_LOW;
     }
 }