diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp b/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
index f745794b40..8d8c14e4fe 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
@@ -342,6 +342,10 @@ const AP_Param::GroupInfo SITL::var_gps[] = {
     AP_GROUPINFO("GPS2_ACC",      43, SITL,  gps_accuracy[1], 0.3),
     AP_GROUPINFO("GPS2_VERR",     44, SITL,  gps_vel_err[1], 0),
 
+    AP_GROUPINFO("INIT_LAT_OFS",  45, SITL,  gps_init_lat_ofs, 0),
+    AP_GROUPINFO("INIT_LON_OFS",  46, SITL,  gps_init_lon_ofs, 0),
+    AP_GROUPINFO("INIT_ALT_OFS",  47, SITL,  gps_init_alt_ofs, 0),
+
     AP_GROUPEND
 };
 
diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SITL.h b/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
index dd2c3fee1b..63ab85e173 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
@@ -211,6 +211,11 @@ public:
     AP_Float gps_accuracy[2];
     AP_Vector3f gps_vel_err[2]; // Velocity error offsets in NED (x = N, y = E, z = D)
 
+    // initial offset on GPS lat/lon, used to shift origin
+    AP_Float gps_init_lat_ofs;
+    AP_Float gps_init_lon_ofs;
+    AP_Float gps_init_alt_ofs;
+
     AP_Float batt_voltage; // battery voltage base
     AP_Float batt_capacity_ah; // battery capacity in Ah
     AP_Int8  rc_fail;     // fail RC input