diff --git a/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.cpp b/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.cpp
index bda620b223..60d4e4a1b2 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.cpp
@@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ uint16_t AP_Logger::get_max_num_logs() {
 }
 
 /* we're started if any of the backends are started */
-bool AP_Logger::logging_started(void) {
+bool AP_Logger::logging_started(void) const {
     for (uint8_t i=0; i< _next_backend; i++) {
         if (backends[i]->logging_started()) {
             return true;
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.h b/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.h
index 3d25ca19d1..9fe2c07f26 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Logger/AP_Logger.h
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ public:
     // returns true if logging of a message should be attempted
     bool should_log(uint32_t mask) const;
 
-    bool logging_started(void);
+    bool logging_started(void) const;
 
 #if CONFIG_HAL_BOARD == HAL_BOARD_SITL || CONFIG_HAL_BOARD == HAL_BOARD_LINUX
     // currently only AP_Logger_File support this: