diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL/GPIO.h b/libraries/AP_HAL/GPIO.h
index 1e519e5b7c..5dbd753014 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL/GPIO.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL/GPIO.h
@@ -113,4 +113,8 @@ public:
 
     // optional timer tick
     virtual void timer_tick(void) {};
+
+    // Run arming checks
+    virtual bool arming_checks(size_t buflen, char *buffer) const { return true; }
+
 };