diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL/board/sitl.h b/libraries/AP_HAL/board/sitl.h
index 883d0a814a..3d288adc25 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL/board/sitl.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL/board/sitl.h
@@ -72,3 +72,7 @@
 #ifndef HAL_WITH_EKF_DOUBLE
 #define HAL_WITH_EKF_DOUBLE HAL_HAVE_HARDWARE_DOUBLE
 #endif
+
+#ifndef HAL_CAN_DRIVER_DEFAULT
+#define HAL_CAN_DRIVER_DEFAULT 1
+#endif