diff --git a/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp b/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
index 32218b1267..c7a287f27c 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ NOINLINE void Copter::send_heartbeat(mavlink_channel_t chan)
 #endif
 
     // we are armed if we are not initialising
-    if (motors->armed()) {
+    if (motors != nullptr && motors->armed()) {
         base_mode |= MAV_MODE_FLAG_SAFETY_ARMED;
     }