diff --git a/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.cpp b/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.cpp
index eb5b474184..b903f56ba3 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,15 @@ AP_Vehicle *AP_Vehicle::get_singleton()
     return _singleton;
 }
 
+
+void AP_Vehicle::vehicle_setup(void)
+{
+#if HAL_HOTT_TELEM_ENABLED
+    hott_telem.init();
+#endif
+}
+
+
 namespace AP {
 
 AP_Vehicle *vehicle()
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.h b/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.h
index 6097ec5d17..6344973977 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Vehicle/AP_Vehicle.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 #include <AP_RSSI/AP_RSSI.h>                        // RSSI Library
 #include <AP_SerialManager/AP_SerialManager.h>      // Serial manager library
 #include <AP_ServoRelayEvents/AP_ServoRelayEvents.h>
+#include <AP_Hott_Telem/AP_Hott_Telem.h>
 
 class AP_Vehicle : public AP_HAL::HAL::Callbacks {
 
@@ -136,6 +137,13 @@ protected:
     // false disables external leds)
     AP_Notify notify;
 
+#if HAL_HOTT_TELEM_ENABLED
+    AP_Hott_Telem hott_telem;
+#endif
+
+    // called from each vehicle
+    void vehicle_setup(void);
+
 private:
 
     static AP_Vehicle *_singleton;