diff --git a/libraries/AP_Mount/AP_Mount_Alexmos.cpp b/libraries/AP_Mount/AP_Mount_Alexmos.cpp
index bd8adb7f7c..235ea469a7 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Mount/AP_Mount_Alexmos.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Mount/AP_Mount_Alexmos.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,10 @@ void AP_Mount_Alexmos::set_mode(enum MAV_MOUNT_MODE mode)
 // status_msg - called to allow mounts to send their status to GCS using the MOUNT_STATUS message
 void AP_Mount_Alexmos::status_msg(mavlink_channel_t chan)
 {
+    if (!_initialised) {
+        return;
+    }
+
     get_angles();
     mavlink_msg_mount_status_send(chan, 0, 0, _current_angle.y*100, _current_angle.x*100, _current_angle.z*100);
 }