diff --git a/ArduCopter/system.cpp b/ArduCopter/system.cpp
index 0c84337300..6a739acdf8 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/system.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/system.cpp
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ void Copter::allocate_motors(void)
     AP_Param::load_object_from_eeprom(wp_nav, wp_nav->var_info);
 
     circle_nav = new AC_Circle(inertial_nav, *ahrs_view, *pos_control);
-    if (wp_nav == nullptr) {
+    if (circle_nav == nullptr) {
         AP_HAL::panic("Unable to allocate CircleNav");
     }
     AP_Param::load_object_from_eeprom(circle_nav, circle_nav->var_info);