diff --git a/ArduCopter/AP_Arming.cpp b/ArduCopter/AP_Arming.cpp
index 8b544fba62..85ba040c34 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/AP_Arming.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/AP_Arming.cpp
@@ -561,6 +561,7 @@ bool AP_Arming_Copter::arm_checks(bool display_failure, bool arming_from_gcs)
         return false;
     }
 
+#ifndef ALLOW_ARM_NO_COMPASS
     // check compass health
     if (!_compass.healthy()) {
         if (display_failure) {
@@ -568,6 +569,7 @@ bool AP_Arming_Copter::arm_checks(bool display_failure, bool arming_from_gcs)
         }
         return false;
     }
+#endif
 
     if (_compass.is_calibrating()) {
         if (display_failure) {