diff --git a/src/tt_um_minipit_stevej.v b/src/tt_um_minipit_stevej.v
index 5115c31..daa4301 100644
--- a/src/tt_um_minipit_stevej.v
+++ b/src/tt_um_minipit_stevej.v
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ module tt_um_minipit_stevej (
 
     // wherein we need temporary storage
     reg [7:0] temp_counter;
-
-    assign uio_oe = 8'b1111_0000;
+    // the first four bits are writable by the design
+    // the last four bits are writable by the user
+    assign uio_oe = 8'b0000_1111;
 
     // counter derived from config byte 1 concatenated with config byte 0
     reg [15:0] counter;