SMPTE start Issue

I’ve locked Nuendo to my 24track using the MOTU 424 ASIO positioning as the source. Everything is working as it should, except one thing. Nuendo won’t start at the beginning. If I play the tape anywhere after the offset, even 1 second later, Nuendo starts and syncs fine. But if I roll back anywhere before the offset, play the tape, the start time comes and goes and Nuendo just sits there. Nuendo does place the play head back to the beginning, just doesn’t start. Any ideas? Nuendo 11.0.41