diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
index a9ebbb8ab7..d769cfe35b 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public:
 #if AP_AHRS_NAVEKF_AVAILABLE
     void send_opticalflow(AP_AHRS_NavEKF &ahrs, const OpticalFlow &optflow);
 #endif
-    void send_autopilot_version(void) const;
+    void send_autopilot_version(uint64_t capabilities = 0) const;
     void send_local_position(const AP_AHRS &ahrs) const;
     void send_vibration(const AP_InertialSensor &ins) const;
     void send_mission_item_reached(uint16_t seq) const;
diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
index 4571cea1cd..f60f217724 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS_Common.cpp
@@ -1245,9 +1245,8 @@ void GCS_MAVLINK::send_opticalflow(AP_AHRS_NavEKF &ahrs, const OpticalFlow &optf
 /*
   send AUTOPILOT_VERSION packet
  */
-void GCS_MAVLINK::send_autopilot_version(void) const
+void GCS_MAVLINK::send_autopilot_version(uint64_t capabilities) const
 {
-    uint16_t capabilities = 0;
     uint32_t flight_sw_version = 0;
     uint32_t middleware_sw_version = 0;
     uint32_t os_sw_version = 0;