A roll detection system is disclosed for detecting a roll angle of a light emitting apparatus around a longitudinal axis thereof. The light emitting apparatus preferably is a pointing device (2). The system furthermore comprises a light detecting arrangement (4) for detecting light emitted by the pointing device (2) and means for determining where the pointing device is pointed. The pointing device (2) comprises at least a first (X1) and a second light source (Y1). The first (X1) and second light source (Y1) emit light with a different polarization orientation. The light detecting arrangement (4) is equipped with a polarization filter (3). The orientation of the polarization of the light emitted by the first (X1) and second light source (Y1) differs by an angle unequal to 90°. With the system the roll angle of the pointing device (2) can be determined for a large angle range.