diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SIM_FlightAxis.cpp b/libraries/SITL/SIM_FlightAxis.cpp
index 10ecfbb49b..a69087b3b0 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SIM_FlightAxis.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SIM_FlightAxis.cpp
@@ -155,9 +155,8 @@ bool FlightAxis::soap_request_start(const char *action, const char *fmt, ...)
     va_end(ap);
 
     // open SOAP socket to FlightAxis
-    if (sock) {
-        delete sock;
-    }
+    delete sock;
+
     sock = new SocketAPM(false);
     if (!sock->connect(controller_ip, controller_port)) {
         ::printf("connect failed\n");