Hands not tracking in steam vr (through virtual desktop)

I recently packaged my app to test in virtual desktop…
after messing with the controller binding I have the buttons working but the hands themselves do not track…

the buttons and joysticks work… and when I press the options button (which pops up the steam vr menu)
the controllers are there in front of me tracking as they should…

but when I return to the app, the default VR mannequin hands are just sitting on the floor in the default position not moving…

is there a fix for this ?

I would be VERY greteful for any help.