diff --git a/APMrover2/system.cpp b/APMrover2/system.cpp
index 8b95a51dae..f0953a8aa2 100644
--- a/APMrover2/system.cpp
+++ b/APMrover2/system.cpp
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ void Rover::init_ardupilot()
     log_init();
 #endif
 
+    GCS_MAVLINK::set_dataflash(&DataFlash);
+
     // Register mavlink_delay_cb, which will run anytime you have
     // more than 5ms remaining in your call to hal.scheduler->delay
     hal.scheduler->register_delay_callback(mavlink_delay_cb_static, 5);