diff --git a/APMrover2/Log.cpp b/APMrover2/Log.cpp
index ce8d98cde4..0a48260351 100644
--- a/APMrover2/Log.cpp
+++ b/APMrover2/Log.cpp
@@ -531,14 +531,6 @@ void Rover::Log_Write_Vehicle_Startup_Messages()
     gps.Write_DataFlash_Log_Startup_messages();
 }
 
-// start a new log
-void Rover::start_logging()
-{
-    DataFlash.EnableWrites(false);
-    DataFlash.StartUnstartedLogging();
-    DataFlash.EnableWrites(true);
-}
-
 #else  // LOGGING_ENABLED
 
 // dummy functions
@@ -550,7 +542,6 @@ int8_t Rover::process_logs(uint8_t argc, const Menu::arg *argv) { return 0; }
 void Rover::Log_Write_Control_Tuning() {}
 void Rover::Log_Write_Rangefinder() {}
 void Rover::Log_Write_Attitude() {}
-void Rover::start_logging() {}
 void Rover::Log_Write_RC(void) {}
 void Rover::Log_Write_GuidedTarget(uint8_t target_type, const Vector3f& pos_target, const Vector3f& vel_target) {}
 void Rover::Log_Write_Home_And_Origin() {}
diff --git a/APMrover2/Rover.h b/APMrover2/Rover.h
index 8b76146a81..abc1e7acfa 100644
--- a/APMrover2/Rover.h
+++ b/APMrover2/Rover.h
@@ -477,7 +477,6 @@ private:
     void Log_Write_WheelEncoder();
     void Log_Read(uint16_t log_num, uint16_t start_page, uint16_t end_page);
     void log_init(void);
-    void start_logging();
     void Log_Arm_Disarm();
 
     void load_parameters(void);
diff --git a/APMrover2/system.cpp b/APMrover2/system.cpp
index 4a151cf81b..2a342a8147 100644
--- a/APMrover2/system.cpp
+++ b/APMrover2/system.cpp
@@ -499,11 +499,7 @@ uint8_t Rover::check_digital_pin(uint8_t pin)
  */
 bool Rover::should_log(uint32_t mask)
 {
-    if (!DataFlash.should_log(mask)) {
-        return false;
-    }
-    start_logging();
-    return true;
+    return DataFlash.should_log(mask);
 }
 
 /*