diff --git a/src/FlightDisplay/VirtualJoystick.qml b/src/FlightDisplay/VirtualJoystick.qml
index f8037549b3c660b0c91e56124a19f0d8c81337ac..97c93b3ed7def84a8613c9700359290b1b35373a 100644
--- a/src/FlightDisplay/VirtualJoystick.qml
+++ b/src/FlightDisplay/VirtualJoystick.qml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Item {
 
     Timer {
         interval:   40  // 25Hz, same as real joystick rate
-        running:    QGroundControl.settingsManager.appSettings.virtualJoystick.value && activeVehicle
+        running:    QGroundControl.settingsManager.appSettings.virtualJoystick.value && _activeVehicle
         repeat:     true
         onTriggered: {
             if (_activeVehicle) {