VIVE Motion controller only works when steamVR opened before launching Unreal

In order for me to use my motion controllers properly in the engine, it seems I must start steamVR before launching Unreal. If I turn off the headset to do some edits or whatever, the motion controllers no longer work when I press any buttons. They still track, I can see the VR hands, but none of the buttons work. The only work around is to close UE, restart steamVR, and then relaunch Unreal. After doing that I have full control restored. This is annoying and the problem has persisted since day one regardless of updates to software or firmware.

Anyone have this issue?