diff --git a/linux.md b/linux.md
index 2dc365e7..c0b44724 100644
--- a/linux.md
+++ b/linux.md
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ Keyboard shortcuts
 In order to properly appreciate the wider hi res graphics, open a big terminal window and choose a small font size.
 Try ``CTRL-`` as well if ``ALT-`` does not work: terminals do not report a consistent keycode for these combinations.
 
-The joystick uses evdev (currently the device name is hardcoded).
+The joystick uses evdev (``--device-name /dev/input/by-id/id_of_device``).
 
 ### qapple
 
-This is based on Qt, currently tested with 5.10
+This is based on Qt.
 
 * keyboard shortcuts are listed in the menu entries
 * graphics: runs the native NTSC code
diff --git a/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.cpp b/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.cpp
index fb650cb9..3d71e9ba 100644
--- a/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.cpp
+++ b/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.cpp
@@ -56,10 +56,15 @@ bool getEmulatorOptions(int argc, const char * argv [], const std::string & edit
     ("headless", "Headless: disable video (freewheel)")
     ("fixed-speed", "Fixed (non-adaptive) speed")
     ("ntsc,nt", "NTSC: execute NTSC code")
-    ("benchmark,b", "Benchmark emulator")
-    ("no-squaring", "Gamepad range is (already) a square");
+    ("benchmark,b", "Benchmark emulator");
   desc.add(emulatorDesc);
 
+  po::options_description paddleDesc("Paddle");
+  paddleDesc.add_options()
+    ("no-squaring", "Gamepad range is (already) a square")
+    ("device-name", po::value<std::string>(), "Gamepad device name");
+  desc.add(paddleDesc);
+
   po::variables_map vm;
   try
   {
@@ -113,9 +118,14 @@ bool getEmulatorOptions(int argc, const char * argv [], const std::string & edit
     options.headless = vm.count("headless") > 0;
     options.log = vm.count("log") > 0;
     options.ntsc = vm.count("ntsc") > 0;
-    options.squaring = vm.count("no-squaring") == 0;
     options.fixedSpeed = vm.count("fixed-speed") > 0;
 
+    options.paddleSquaring = vm.count("no-squaring") == 0;
+    if (vm.count("device-name"))
+    {
+      options.paddleDeviceName = vm["device-name"].as<std::string>();
+    }
+
     return true;
   }
   catch (const po::error& e)
@@ -152,5 +162,5 @@ void applyOptions(const EmulatorOptions & options)
     setSnapshotFilename(options.snapshotFilename, options.loadSnapshot);
   }
 
-  Paddle::setSquaring(options.squaring);
+  Paddle::setSquaring(options.paddleSquaring);
 }
diff --git a/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.h b/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.h
index c34d068e..e72d37df 100644
--- a/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.h
+++ b/source/frontends/common2/programoptions.h
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@ struct EmulatorOptions
   bool headless = false;
   bool ntsc = false;  // only for applen
 
-  bool squaring = true;  // turn the x/y range to a square
+  bool paddleSquaring = true;  // turn the x/y range to a square
+  // on my PC it is something like
+  // "/dev/input/by-id/usb-©Microsoft_Corporation_Controller_1BBE3DB-event-joystick"
+  std::string paddleDeviceName;
 
   bool saveConfigurationOnExit = false;
   bool useQtIni = false;  // use Qt .ini file (read only)
diff --git a/source/frontends/ncurses/main.cpp b/source/frontends/ncurses/main.cpp
index a5e3ea68..6173a310 100644
--- a/source/frontends/ncurses/main.cpp
+++ b/source/frontends/ncurses/main.cpp
@@ -148,8 +148,9 @@ namespace
     g_nMemoryClearType = options.memclear;
 
     initialiseEmulator();
-    NVideoInitialize(options.headless);
+    NVideoInitialise(options.headless);
     applyOptions(options);
+    PaddleInitialise(options.paddleDeviceName);
 
     GetFrame().FrameRefreshStatus(DRAW_LEDS | DRAW_BUTTON_DRIVES, true);
 
diff --git a/source/frontends/ncurses/world.cpp b/source/frontends/ncurses/world.cpp
index b7ca8029..5df2d255 100644
--- a/source/frontends/ncurses/world.cpp
+++ b/source/frontends/ncurses/world.cpp
@@ -239,15 +239,17 @@ int MessageBox(HWND, const char * text, const char * caption, UINT)
   return IDOK;
 }
 
-void NVideoInitialize(const bool headless)
+void PaddleInitialise(const std::string & device)
+{
+  paddle.reset(new EvDevPaddle(device));
+  Paddle::instance = paddle;
+}
+
+void NVideoInitialise(const bool headless)
 {
   frame.reset(new Frame());
   asciiArt.reset(new ASCIIArt());
 
-  paddle.reset(new EvDevPaddle("/dev/input/by-id/usb-©Microsoft_Corporation_Controller_1BBE3DB-event-joystick"));
-
-  Paddle::instance = paddle;
-
   if (headless)
   {
     signal(SIGINT, sig_handler_exit);
diff --git a/source/frontends/ncurses/world.h b/source/frontends/ncurses/world.h
index 2f93b4e3..bb9ec98e 100644
--- a/source/frontends/ncurses/world.h
+++ b/source/frontends/ncurses/world.h
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <string>
+
 int ProcessKeyboard();
 void ProcessInput();
-void NVideoInitialize(const bool headless);
+void NVideoInitialise(const bool headless);
 void NVideoRedrawScreen();
+void PaddleInitialise(const std::string & device);
 
 extern double g_relativeSpeed;