diff --git a/ArduPlane/system.cpp b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
index af6a773c4e..7fc688eeba 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/system.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/system.cpp
@@ -246,6 +246,10 @@ void Plane::init_ardupilot()
 
     // initialise sensor
 #if OPTFLOW == ENABLED
+    if (!optflow.enabled()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
     optflow.init();
 #endif