diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.cpp b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.cpp
index f563d9dbc1..6f4a6f1727 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.cpp
@@ -138,9 +138,10 @@ void Util::set_imu_temp(float current)
     uint32_t now = AP_HAL::millis();
     if (now - heater.last_update_ms < 1000) {
 #if defined(HAL_HEATER_GPIO_PIN)
-        // output as duty cycle to local pin
-        hal.gpio->write(HAL_HEATER_GPIO_PIN, heater.duty_counter < heater.output);
-        heater.duty_counter = (heater.duty_counter+1) % 100;
+        // output as duty cycle to local pin. Use a random sequence to
+        // prevent a periodic change to magnetic field
+        bool heater_on = (get_random16() < uint32_t(heater.output) * 0xFFFFU / 100U);
+        hal.gpio->write(HAL_HEATER_GPIO_PIN, heater_on);
 #endif
         return;
     }
diff --git a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.h b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.h
index b86ba417c7..4fc1cadcdd 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_HAL_ChibiOS/Util.h
@@ -86,7 +86,6 @@ private:
         uint16_t count;
         float sum;
         uint32_t last_update_ms;
-        uint8_t duty_counter;
         float output;
     } heater;
 #endif