diff --git a/src/modules/sensors/sensor_params.c b/src/modules/sensors/sensor_params.c
index dc081f0644..d2faa1a4f5 100644
--- a/src/modules/sensors/sensor_params.c
+++ b/src/modules/sensors/sensor_params.c
@@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ PARAM_DEFINE_FLOAT(BAT_V_SCALING, -1.0f);
  *
  * @group Battery Calibration
  */
-PARAM_DEFINE_FLOAT(BAT_C_SCALING, 0.0124);	/* scaling for 3DR power brick */
+PARAM_DEFINE_FLOAT(BAT_C_SCALING, -1.0);
 
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/modules/sensors/sensors.cpp b/src/modules/sensors/sensors.cpp
index f41c9dcf4b..79a2b54a63 100644
--- a/src/modules/sensors/sensors.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/sensors/sensors.cpp
@@ -883,6 +883,22 @@ Sensors::parameters_update()
 	/* scaling of ADC ticks to battery current */
 	if (param_get(_parameter_handles.battery_current_scaling, &(_parameters.battery_current_scaling)) != OK) {
 		warnx("%s", paramerr);
+	} else if (_parameters.battery_current_scaling < 0.0f) {
+		/* apply scaling according to defaults if set to default */
+#if defined (CONFIG_ARCH_BOARD_PX4FMU_V4)
+		/* current scaling for ACSP4 */
+		_parameters.battery_current_scaling = 0.029296875f;
+#elif defined (CONFIG_ARCH_BOARD_PX4FMU_V2)
+		/* current scaling for 3DR power brick */
+		_parameters.battery_current_scaling = 0.0124f;
+#elif defined (CONFIG_ARCH_BOARD_AEROCORE)
+		_parameters.battery_current_scaling = 0.0124f;
+#elif defined (CONFIG_ARCH_BOARD_PX4FMU_V1)
+		_parameters.battery_current_scaling = 0.0124f;
+#else
+		/* ensure a missing default leads to an unrealistic current value */
+		_parameters.battery_voltage_scaling = 0.00001f;
+#endif	
 	}
 
 	param_get(_parameter_handles.board_rotation, &(_parameters.board_rotation));