diff --git a/ArduCopter/mode.h b/ArduCopter/mode.h
index e0f1f7c018..aa906edefb 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/mode.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/mode.h
@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ public:
     // this should probably not be exposed
     bool state_complete() { return _state_complete; }
 
-    bool is_landing() const override;
+    virtual bool is_landing() const override;
 
     void restart_without_terrain();
 
@@ -1133,6 +1133,8 @@ public:
     void save_position();
     void exit();
 
+    bool is_landing() const override;
+
 protected:
 
     const char *name() const override { return "SMARTRTL"; }
diff --git a/ArduCopter/mode_smart_rtl.cpp b/ArduCopter/mode_smart_rtl.cpp
index dde31446e3..73d13a1cdd 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/mode_smart_rtl.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/mode_smart_rtl.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ void ModeSmartRTL::run()
     }
 }
 
+bool ModeSmartRTL::is_landing() const
+{
+    return smart_rtl_state == SmartRTL_Land;
+}
+
 void ModeSmartRTL::wait_cleanup_run()
 {
     // hover at current target position