diff --git a/libraries/AP_Terrain/AP_Terrain.cpp b/libraries/AP_Terrain/AP_Terrain.cpp
index 50c67749fd..867a043345 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Terrain/AP_Terrain.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Terrain/AP_Terrain.cpp
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ float AP_Terrain::lookahead(float bearing, float distance, float climb_ratio)
  */
 void AP_Terrain::update(void)
 {
+    if (!enable) { return; }
     // just schedule any needed disk IO
     schedule_disk_io();