diff --git a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
index 04ed42f463..430974e57d 100644
--- a/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
+++ b/libraries/GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h
@@ -1149,7 +1149,13 @@ public:
     bool install_alternative_protocol(mavlink_channel_t chan, GCS_MAVLINK::protocol_handler_fn_t handler);
 
     // get the VFR_HUD throttle
-    int16_t get_hud_throttle(void) const { return num_gcs()>0?chan(0)->vfr_hud_throttle():0; }
+    int16_t get_hud_throttle(void) const {
+        const GCS_MAVLINK *link = chan(0);
+        if (link == nullptr) {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        return link->vfr_hud_throttle();
+    }
 
     // update uart pass-thru
     void update_passthru();