diff --git a/APMrover2/Rover.h b/APMrover2/Rover.h
index ebc438930e..d3766185b2 100644
--- a/APMrover2/Rover.h
+++ b/APMrover2/Rover.h
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ private:
     GCS_Rover &gcs() { return _gcs; }
 
     // relay support
-    AP_Relay relay;
+    AP_Relay relay = AP_Relay::create();
 
     AP_ServoRelayEvents ServoRelayEvents;
 
diff --git a/ArduCopter/Copter.h b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
index c1b6e56411..5542e121e0 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/Copter.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ private:
     uint8_t auto_trim_counter;
 
     // Reference to the relay object
-    AP_Relay relay;
+    AP_Relay relay = AP_Relay::create();
 
     // handle repeated servo and relay events
     AP_ServoRelayEvents ServoRelayEvents;
diff --git a/ArduPlane/Plane.h b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
index 268dfb06b7..5c14b3324c 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Plane.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ private:
     AP_SpdHgtControl *SpdHgt_Controller = &TECS_controller;
 
     // Relay
-    AP_Relay relay;
+    AP_Relay relay = AP_Relay::create();
 
     // handle servo and relay events
     AP_ServoRelayEvents ServoRelayEvents {relay};
diff --git a/ArduSub/Sub.h b/ArduSub/Sub.h
index ccb26328f7..cdf45cc215 100644
--- a/ArduSub/Sub.h
+++ b/ArduSub/Sub.h
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ private:
     uint16_t mainLoop_count;
 
     // Reference to the relay object
-    AP_Relay relay;
+    AP_Relay relay = AP_Relay::create();
 
     // handle repeated servo and relay events
     AP_ServoRelayEvents ServoRelayEvents;
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Parachute/examples/AP_Parachute_test/AP_Parachute_test.cpp b/libraries/AP_Parachute/examples/AP_Parachute_test/AP_Parachute_test.cpp
index bdf370078e..a3789452f8 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Parachute/examples/AP_Parachute_test/AP_Parachute_test.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Parachute/examples/AP_Parachute_test/AP_Parachute_test.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ void loop();
 const AP_HAL::HAL& hal = AP_HAL::get_HAL();
 
 // Relay
-AP_Relay relay;
+static AP_Relay relay = AP_Relay::create();
 
 // Parachute
 AP_Parachute parachute(relay);