diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
index 66f6da3405..1d272b8f38 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
@@ -290,6 +290,7 @@ protected:
     // message sending functions:
     bool try_send_compass_message(enum ap_message id);
     bool try_send_mission_message(enum ap_message id);
+    void send_hwstatus();
 
 private:
 
diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
index 18f858e4fd..c6211e8ae3 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
@@ -2085,6 +2085,13 @@ bool GCS_MAVLINK::try_send_mission_message(const enum ap_message id)
     return ret;
 }
 
+void GCS_MAVLINK::send_hwstatus()
+{
+    mavlink_msg_hwstatus_send(
+        chan,
+        hal.analogin->board_voltage()*1000,
+        0);
+}
 
 bool GCS_MAVLINK::try_send_message(const enum ap_message id)
 {
@@ -2096,6 +2103,12 @@ bool GCS_MAVLINK::try_send_message(const enum ap_message id)
 
     switch(id) {
 
+    case MSG_HWSTATUS:
+        CHECK_PAYLOAD_SIZE(HWSTATUS);
+        send_hwstatus();
+        ret = true;
+        break;
+
     case MSG_CURRENT_WAYPOINT:
         /* fall through */
     case MSG_MISSION_ITEM_REACHED: