diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Precland.cpp b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Precland.cpp
index d4cabe072d..7a33909760 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Precland.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Precland.cpp
@@ -103,8 +103,6 @@ const AP_Param::GroupInfo SIM_Precland::var_info[] = {
 
 void SIM_Precland::update(const Location &loc, const Vector3f &position)
 {
-    const uint32_t now = AP_HAL::millis();
-
     if (!_enable) {
         _healthy = false;
         return;
@@ -114,11 +112,6 @@ void SIM_Precland::update(const Location &loc, const Vector3f &position)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (now - _last_update_ms < 1000.0f * (1.0f / _rate)) {
-        return;
-    }
-    _last_update_ms = now;
-
     const float distance_z = -position.z;
     const float origin_height_m = _origin_height * 0.01f;
     if (distance_z > _alt_limit + origin_height_m) {
@@ -136,6 +129,11 @@ void SIM_Precland::update(const Location &loc, const Vector3f &position)
         return;
     }
     center = center * 0.01f;  // cm to m
+    const uint32_t now = AP_HAL::millis();
+    if (now - _last_update_ms < 1000.0f * (1.0f / _rate)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    _last_update_ms = now;
 
     switch (_type) {
         case PRECLAND_TYPE_CONE: {