diff --git a/ArduPlane/Parameters.h b/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
index 377eb9ded8..d29243d1ef 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/Parameters.h
@@ -483,6 +483,9 @@ public:
     // var_info for holding Parameter information
     static const struct AP_Param::GroupInfo var_info[];
 
+    // just to make compilation easier when all things are compiled out...
+    uint8_t unused_integer;
+
     // button reporting library
 #if HAL_BUTTON_ENABLED
     AP_Button *button_ptr;
@@ -579,9 +582,6 @@ public:
     
     AP_Int8         axis_bitmask; // axes to be autotuned
 
-    // just to make compilation easier when all things are compiled out...
-    uint8_t unused_integer;
-
 #if AP_RANGEFINDER_ENABLED
     // orientation of rangefinder to use for landing
     AP_Int8 rangefinder_land_orient;
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode.cpp b/ArduPlane/mode.cpp
index e4f97acc2c..8bece6d418 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode.cpp
@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 #include "Plane.h"
 
 Mode::Mode() :
-    ahrs(plane.ahrs)
+    unused_integer{17},
 #if HAL_QUADPLANE_ENABLED
-    , quadplane(plane.quadplane),
     pos_control(plane.quadplane.pos_control),
     attitude_control(plane.quadplane.attitude_control),
     loiter_nav(plane.quadplane.loiter_nav),
-    poscontrol(plane.quadplane.poscontrol)
+    quadplane(plane.quadplane),
+    poscontrol(plane.quadplane.poscontrol),
 #endif
+    ahrs(plane.ahrs)
 {
 }
 
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode.h b/ArduPlane/mode.h
index 230b372499..8260924afc 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode.h
@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ protected:
     // Output pilot throttle, this is used in stabilized modes without auto throttle control
     void output_pilot_throttle();
 
+    // makes the initialiser list in the constructor manageable
+    uint8_t unused_integer;
+
 #if HAL_QUADPLANE_ENABLED
     // References for convenience, used by QModes
     AC_PosControl*& pos_control;