diff --git a/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.cpp b/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.cpp
index c395d19cdc..80cbd54b1c 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,13 @@ const AP_Param::GroupInfo AP_Mission::var_info[] = {
     // @User: Advanced
     AP_GROUPINFO("RESTART",  1, AP_Mission, _restart, AP_MISSION_RESTART_DEFAULT),
 
+    // @Param: OPTIONS
+    // @DisplayName: Mission options bitmask
+    // @Description: Bitmask of what options to use in missions.
+    // @Bitmask: 0:Clear Mission on reboot
+    // @User: Advanced
+    AP_GROUPINFO("OPTIONS",  2, AP_Mission, _options, AP_MISSION_OPTIONS_DEFAULT),
+
     AP_GROUPEND
 };
 
@@ -44,6 +51,12 @@ void AP_Mission::init()
     // changes in Content size break the storage
     static_assert(sizeof(union Content) == 12, "AP_Mission: Content must be 12 bytes");
 
+    // If Mission Clear bit is set then it should clear the mission, otherwise retain the mission.
+    if (AP_MISSION_MASK_MISSION_CLEAR & _options) {
+    	gcs().send_text(MAV_SEVERITY_INFO, "Clearing Mission");
+    	clear();	
+    }
+
     _last_change_time_ms = AP_HAL::millis();
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.h b/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.h
index c031609617..3bb063be0a 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Mission/AP_Mission.h
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@
 
 #define AP_MISSION_RESTART_DEFAULT          0       // resume the mission from the last command run by default
 
+#define AP_MISSION_OPTIONS_DEFAULT          0       // Do not clear the mission when rebooting
+#define AP_MISSION_MASK_MISSION_CLEAR       (1<<0)  // If set then Clear the mission on boot
+
 /// @class    AP_Mission
 /// @brief    Object managing Mission
 class AP_Mission {
@@ -504,6 +507,7 @@ private:
     // parameters
     AP_Int16                _cmd_total;  // total number of commands in the mission
     AP_Int8                 _restart;   // controls mission starting point when entering Auto mode (either restart from beginning of mission or resume from last command run)
+    AP_Int16                _options;    // bitmask options for missions, currently for mission clearing on reboot but can be expanded as required
 
     // pointer to main program functions
     mission_cmd_fn_t        _cmd_start_fn;  // pointer to function which will be called when a new command is started