diff --git a/libraries/AC_Fence/AC_Fence.cpp b/libraries/AC_Fence/AC_Fence.cpp
index 3ec8269306..e94658ee26 100644
--- a/libraries/AC_Fence/AC_Fence.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AC_Fence/AC_Fence.cpp
@@ -543,14 +543,14 @@ uint8_t AC_Fence::check()
 {
     uint8_t ret = 0;
 
+    // clear any breach from a non-enabled fence
+    clear_breach(~_enabled_fences);
+
     // return immediately if disabled
     if ((!_enabled && !_auto_enabled) || !_enabled_fences) {
         return 0;
     }
 
-    // clear any breach from a non-enabled fence
-    clear_breach(~_enabled_fences);
-
     // check if pilot is attempting to recover manually
     if (_manual_recovery_start_ms != 0) {
         // we ignore any fence breaches during the manual recovery period which is about 10 seconds