diff --git a/ArduCopter/mode_auto.cpp b/ArduCopter/mode_auto.cpp
index 08f41f06c7397..8a009901a63cf 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/mode_auto.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/mode_auto.cpp
@@ -2330,7 +2330,7 @@ bool ModeAuto::resume()
 
 bool ModeAuto::paused() const
 {
-    return wp_nav->paused();
+    return (wp_nav != nullptr) && wp_nav->paused();
 }
 
 #endif