diff --git a/libraries/AP_Parachute/AP_Parachute.cpp b/libraries/AP_Parachute/AP_Parachute.cpp
index 59dc39143d..cb5f6f0ef3 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Parachute/AP_Parachute.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Parachute/AP_Parachute.cpp
@@ -137,12 +137,14 @@ void AP_Parachute::update()
             if (_release_type == AP_PARACHUTE_TRIGGER_TYPE_SERVO) {
                 // move servo
                 SRV_Channels::set_output_pwm(SRV_Channel::k_parachute_release, _servo_on_pwm);
+#if AP_RELAY_ENABLED
             } else if (_release_type <= AP_PARACHUTE_TRIGGER_TYPE_RELAY_3) {
                 // set relay
                 AP_Relay*_relay = AP::relay();
                 if (_relay != nullptr) {
                     _relay->on(_release_type);
                 }
+#endif
             }
             _release_in_progress = true;
             _released = true;
@@ -152,12 +154,14 @@ void AP_Parachute::update()
         if (_release_type == AP_PARACHUTE_TRIGGER_TYPE_SERVO) {
             // move servo back to off position
             SRV_Channels::set_output_pwm(SRV_Channel::k_parachute_release, _servo_off_pwm);
+#if AP_RELAY_ENABLED
         } else if (_release_type <= AP_PARACHUTE_TRIGGER_TYPE_RELAY_3) {
             // set relay back to zero volts
             AP_Relay*_relay = AP::relay();
             if (_relay != nullptr) {
                 _relay->off(_release_type);
             }
+#endif
         }
         // reset released flag and release_time
         _release_in_progress = false;
@@ -212,12 +216,17 @@ bool AP_Parachute::arming_checks(size_t buflen, char *buffer) const
                 return false;
             }
         } else {
+#if AP_RELAY_ENABLED
             AP_Relay*_relay = AP::relay();
             if (_relay == nullptr || !_relay->enabled(_release_type)) {
                 hal.util->snprintf(buffer, buflen, "Chute invalid relay %d", int(_release_type));
                 return false;
             }
+#else
+            hal.util->snprintf(buffer, buflen, "AP_Relay not available");
+#endif
         }
+
         if (_release_initiated) {
             hal.util->snprintf(buffer, buflen, "Chute is released");
             return false;