diff --git a/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.cpp b/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.cpp
index 1d920818fb..c8394948d1 100644
--- a/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.cpp
@@ -39,19 +39,14 @@ void AC_PrecLand_SITL::update()
     _have_los_meas = _have_los_meas && AP_HAL::millis() - _los_meas_time_ms <= 1000;
 }
 
-bool AC_PrecLand_SITL::have_los_meas() {
-    return AP_HAL::millis() - _los_meas_time_ms < 1000;
-}
-
 // provides a unit vector towards the target in body frame
 //  returns same as have_los_meas()
 bool AC_PrecLand_SITL::get_los_body(Vector3f& ret) {
-    if (AP_HAL::millis() - _los_meas_time_ms > 1000) {
-        // no measurement for a full second; no vector available
-        return false;
+    if (have_los_meas()) {
+        ret = _los_meas_body;
+        return true;
     }
-    ret = _los_meas_body;
-    return true;
+    return false;
 }
 
 #endif  // AC_PRECLAND_SITL_ENABLED
diff --git a/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.h b/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.h
index 53b0c23aa6..736adfbdb1 100644
--- a/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.h
+++ b/libraries/AC_PrecLand/AC_PrecLand_SITL.h
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public:
     uint32_t los_meas_time_ms() override { return _los_meas_time_ms; }
 
     // return true if there is a valid los measurement available
-    bool have_los_meas() override;
+    bool have_los_meas() override { return _have_los_meas; }
 
     // returns distance to target in meters (0 means distance is not known)
     float distance_to_target() override { return _distance_to_target; }