diff --git a/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.cpp b/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.cpp
index 6f2185d3b7..6050790c8f 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.cpp
@@ -498,8 +498,7 @@ Compass::Compass(void)
 
 // Default init method
 //
-bool
-Compass::init()
+void Compass::init()
 {
     if (_compass_count == 0) {
         // detect available backends. Only called once
@@ -518,7 +517,6 @@ Compass::init()
     for (uint8_t i=_compass_count; i<COMPASS_MAX_INSTANCES; i++) {
         _state[i].dev_id.set(0);
     }
-    return true;
 }
 
 //  Register a new compass instance
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.h b/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.h
index 63e1c505d2..2781e5842c 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Compass/AP_Compass.h
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public:
     /// @returns    True if the compass was initialized OK, false if it was not
     ///             found or is not functioning.
     ///
-    bool init();
+    void init();
 
     /// Read the compass and update the mag_ variables.
     ///