diff --git a/ArduPlane/system.cpp b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
index ae43b725fa..5bdcc1c030 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/system.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
@@ -261,6 +261,8 @@ void Plane::init_ardupilot()
     }
 #endif
 
+    // disable safety if requested
+    BoardConfig.init_safety();
 }
 
 //********************************************************************************