diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
index 52930f4ce2..500ba3dd5d 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
@@ -2074,12 +2074,9 @@ void GCS_MAVLINK::send_opticalflow()
     const Vector2f &flowRate = optflow->flowRate();
     const Vector2f &bodyRate = optflow->bodyRate();
 
-    const AP_AHRS &ahrs = AP::ahrs();
-    float hagl = 0;
-    if (ahrs.have_inertial_nav()) {
-        if (!ahrs.get_hagl(hagl)) {
-            return;
-        }
+    float hagl;
+    if (!AP::ahrs().get_hagl(hagl)) {
+        hagl = 0;
     }
 
     // populate and send message