diff --git a/libraries/AP_NavEKF3/AP_NavEKF3.cpp b/libraries/AP_NavEKF3/AP_NavEKF3.cpp
index e7041f07f3..197e368a00 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_NavEKF3/AP_NavEKF3.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_NavEKF3/AP_NavEKF3.cpp
@@ -940,6 +940,9 @@ void NavEKF3::getEkfControlLimits(float &ekfGndSpdLimit, float &ekfNavVelGainSca
 {
     if (core) {
         core[primary].getEkfControlLimits(ekfGndSpdLimit, ekfNavVelGainScaler);
+    } else {
+        ekfGndSpdLimit = 400.0f; //return 80% of max filter speed
+        ekfNavVelGainScaler = 1.0f;
     }
 }