diff --git a/libraries/AP_Notify/AP_Notify.h b/libraries/AP_Notify/AP_Notify.h
index f13a69164f..91038453dc 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Notify/AP_Notify.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Notify/AP_Notify.h
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public:
         uint8_t mission_complete        : 1;    // 1 when the mission has completed successfully
         uint8_t waypoint_complete       : 1;    // 1 as vehicle completes a waypoint
         uint8_t user_mode_change_failed : 1;    // 1 when user initiated flight mode change fails
-        uint8_t failsafe_action_taken   : 1;    // unused
+        uint8_t failsafe_mode_change    : 1;    // 1 when failsafe has triggered a flight mode change
     };
 
     // the notify flags are static to allow direct class access
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Notify/ToneAlarm_PX4.cpp b/libraries/AP_Notify/ToneAlarm_PX4.cpp
index f034c94b09..76bb55698b 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Notify/ToneAlarm_PX4.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Notify/ToneAlarm_PX4.cpp
@@ -171,7 +171,8 @@ void ToneAlarm_PX4::update()
         flags.user_mode_initialized = 1;
     }
 
-    if(AP_Notify::events.failsafe_action_taken) {
+    // failsafe initiated mode change
+    if(AP_Notify::events.failsafe_mode_change) {
         play_tone(AP_NOTIFY_PX4_TONE_LOUD_ATTENTION_NEEDED);
     }
 
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@ void ToneAlarm_PX4::update()
     if (flags.failsafe_radio != AP_Notify::flags.failsafe_radio) {
         flags.failsafe_radio = AP_Notify::flags.failsafe_radio;
         if (flags.failsafe_radio) {
-            // armed case handled by events.failsafe_action_taken
+            // armed case handled by events.failsafe_mode_change
             if (!AP_Notify::flags.armed) {
                 play_tone(AP_NOTIFY_PX4_TONE_QUIET_NEG_FEEDBACK);
             }