diff --git a/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py b/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
index dd970845d8..fde0a00c13 100644
--- a/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
+++ b/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
@@ -7568,19 +7568,6 @@ class AutoTestCopter(vehicle_test_suite.TestSuite):
         self.set_parameter("FENCE_ENABLE", 1)
         self.check_avoidance_corners()
 
-    def global_position_int_for_location(self, loc, time_boot, heading=0):
-        return self.mav.mav.global_position_int_encode(
-            int(time_boot * 1000), # time_boot_ms
-            int(loc.lat * 1e7),
-            int(loc.lng * 1e7),
-            int(loc.alt * 1000), # alt in mm
-            20, # relative alt - urp.
-            vx=0,
-            vy=0,
-            vz=0,
-            hdg=heading
-        )
-
     def ModeFollow(self):
         '''Fly follow mode'''
         foll_ofs_x = 30 # metres
@@ -7610,6 +7597,8 @@ class AutoTestCopter(vehicle_test_suite.TestSuite):
                                (expected_loc.lat, expected_loc.lng))
         self.progress("expected_loc: %s" % str(expected_loc))
 
+        origin = self.poll_message('GPS_GLOBAL_ORIGIN')
+
         last_sent = 0
         tstart = self.get_sim_time()
         while True:
@@ -7617,9 +7606,17 @@ class AutoTestCopter(vehicle_test_suite.TestSuite):
             if now - tstart > 60:
                 raise NotAchievedException("Did not FOLLOW")
             if now - last_sent > 0.5:
-                gpi = self.global_position_int_for_location(new_loc,
-                                                            now,
-                                                            heading=heading)
+                gpi = self.mav.mav.global_position_int_encode(
+                    int(now * 1000), # time_boot_ms
+                    int(new_loc.lat * 1e7),
+                    int(new_loc.lng * 1e7),
+                    int(new_loc.alt * 1000), # alt in mm
+                    int(new_loc.alt * 1000 - origin.altitude), # relative alt - urp.
+                    vx=0,
+                    vy=0,
+                    vz=0,
+                    hdg=heading
+                )
                 gpi.pack(self.mav.mav)
                 self.mav.mav.send(gpi)
             self.mav.recv_match(type='GLOBAL_POSITION_INT', blocking=True)