diff --git a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/ConstantDefinitions.py b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/ConstantDefinitions.py
index 94a2179..a623202 100644
--- a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/ConstantDefinitions.py
+++ b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/ConstantDefinitions.py
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@
 # 
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
 # virtualsmartcard.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-#
+
+MAX_SHORT_LE = 0xff
+MAX_EXTENDED_LE = 0xffff
+
 # Life cycle status byte {{{
 LCB = {}
 LCB["NOINFORMATION"]  = 0x00
diff --git a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/TLVutils.py b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/TLVutils.py
index 9d7b84d..054bd57 100644
--- a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/TLVutils.py
+++ b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/TLVutils.py
@@ -45,8 +45,6 @@ TAG["OFFSET_DATA"]              = 0x54
 TAG["TAG_LIST"]                 = 0x5C
 TAG["HEADER_LIST"]              = 0x5D
 TAG["EXTENDED_HEADER_LIST"]     = 0x4D
-MAX_EXTENDED_LE                 = 0xffff
-MAX_SHORT_LE                    = 0xff
 
 def tlv_unpack(data): # {{{
     ber_class = (ord(data[0]) & 0xC0) >> 6
diff --git a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/VirtualSmartcard.py b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/VirtualSmartcard.py
index b21d3ec..923e2ce 100644
--- a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/VirtualSmartcard.py
+++ b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/VirtualSmartcard.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class SmartcardOS(object): # {{{
 # }}}
 
 class Iso7816OS(SmartcardOS): # {{{ 
-    def __init__(self, mf, sam, ins2handler=None, maxle=MAX_SHORT_LE):
+    def __init__(self, mf, sam, ins2handler=None, extended_length=False):
         self.mf = mf
         self.SAM = sam
 
@@ -107,10 +107,15 @@ class Iso7816OS(SmartcardOS): # {{{
         else:
             self.ins2handler = ins2handler
 
-        self.maxle = maxle
+        if extended_length:
+            self.maxle = MAX_EXTENDED_LE
+        else:
+            self.maxle = MAX_SHORT_LE
+
         self.lastCommandOffcut = ""
         self.lastCommandSW = SW["NORMAL"]
-        card_capabilities = self.mf.firstSFT + self.mf.secondSFT + Iso7816OS.makeThirdSoftwareFunctionTable()
+        card_capabilities = self.mf.firstSFT + self.mf.secondSFT + \
+                Iso7816OS.makeThirdSoftwareFunctionTable(extendedLe = extended_length)
         self.atr = Iso7816OS.makeATR(T=1, directConvention = True, TA1=0x13,
                 histChars = chr(0x80) + chr(0x70 + len(card_capabilities)) +
                 card_capabilities)
diff --git a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/utils.py b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/utils.py
index d917c6c..ede6381 100644
--- a/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/utils.py
+++ b/virtualsmartcard/src/vpicc/virtualsmartcard/utils.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 # virtualsmartcard.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
 import string, binascii
+from ConstantDefinitions import MAX_SHORT_LE, MAX_EXTENDED_LE
 
 def stringtoint(str): # {{{
     #i = len(str) - 1
@@ -298,9 +299,9 @@ class C_APDU(APDU):
     def effective_Le(self):
         if hasattr(self, "_Le") and (self.Le == 0):
             if self.__extended_length:
-                return 0xffff
+                return MAX_EXTENDED_LE 
             else:
-                return 0xff
+                return MAX_SHORT_LE
         else:
             return self.Le