diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.cpp b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.cpp
index b76a4798fe..ce6286b9ee 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.cpp
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.cpp
@@ -268,6 +268,9 @@ bool DataFlash_Backend::WritesOK() const
     if (!_front.vehicle_is_armed() && !_front.log_while_disarmed()) {
         return false;
     }
+    if (!_initialised) {
+        return false;
+    }
 
     return true;
 }
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.h b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.h
index fcf0eecec2..2c44209adb 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.h
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_Backend.h
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ protected:
     // must be called when a new log is being started:
     virtual void start_new_log_reset_variables();
 
+    bool _initialised;
+
 private:
 
     uint32_t _last_periodic_1Hz;
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.cpp b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.cpp
index 667ec4a251..9734eefdbe 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.cpp
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ DataFlash_File::DataFlash_File(DataFlash_Class &front,
     _read_fd_log_num(0),
     _read_offset(0),
     _write_offset(0),
-    _initialised(false),
     _open_error(false),
     _log_directory(log_directory),
     _cached_oldest_log(0),
@@ -520,9 +519,6 @@ bool DataFlash_File::WritesOK() const
     if (_write_fd == -1) {
         return false;
     }
-    if (!_initialised) {
-        return false;
-    }
     if (_open_error) {
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.h b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.h
index 0e46b3b13e..4eec8d64be 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.h
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_File.h
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@ private:
     uint16_t _read_fd_log_num;
     uint32_t _read_offset;
     uint32_t _write_offset;
-    volatile bool _initialised;
     volatile bool _open_error;
     const char *_log_directory;
 
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.cpp b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.cpp
index 12e9de460d..80fdc78a0d 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.cpp
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.cpp
@@ -124,9 +124,6 @@ bool DataFlash_MAVLink::WritesOK() const
     if (!DataFlash_Backend::WritesOK()) {
         return false;
     }
-    if (!_initialised) {
-        return false;
-    }
     if (!_sending_to_client) {
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.h b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.h
index 472d03f3a3..7996b59542 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.h
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash_MAVLink.h
@@ -131,8 +131,6 @@ private:
     uint8_t _target_system_id;
     uint8_t _target_component_id;
 
-    bool _initialised;
-
     // this controls the maximum number of blocks we will push from
     // the pending and send queues in any call to push_log_blocks.
     // push_log_blocks is called by periodic_tasks.  Each block is 200