diff --git a/ArduCopter/config.h b/ArduCopter/config.h
index 35418e1330..323db5dcb9 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/config.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/config.h
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 // winch support
 #ifndef WINCH_ENABLED
-# define WINCH_ENABLED DISABLED
+# define WINCH_ENABLED !HAL_MINIMIZE_FEATURES
 #endif
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////