diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/mini-pix/hwdef.dat b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/mini-pix/hwdef.dat
index dcc2d509a3..832a3ba23e 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/mini-pix/hwdef.dat
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/mini-pix/hwdef.dat
@@ -115,7 +115,13 @@ define HAL_BARO_DEFAULT HAL_BARO_LPS22H_SPI
 
 define HAL_INS_DEFAULT HAL_INS_MPU60XX_SPI
 define HAL_INS_DEFAULT_ROTATION ROTATION_PITCH_180
-define HAL_COMPASS_DEFAULT HAL_COMPASS_QMC5883L
+
+# the mini-pix has a QMC5883L both internal and external, detected
+# using HAL_PROBE_EXTERNAL_I2C_COMPASSES
+define HAL_PROBE_EXTERNAL_I2C_COMPASSES
+define HAL_COMPASS_DEFAULT HAL_COMPASS_NONE
+define HAL_COMPASS_QMC5883L_ORIENTATION_INTERNAL ROTATION_PITCH_180_YAW_270
+
 define HAL_COMPASS_AUTO_ROT_DEFAULT 2
 
 define HAL_BOARD_LOG_DIRECTORY "/APM/LOGS"