diff --git a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.cpp b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.cpp
index 952309f66e0..5531e1e0560 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.cpp
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@ const AP_Param::GroupInfo AP_SmartRTL::var_info[] = {
 *    seconds before initiating the return journey.
 */
 
-AP_SmartRTL::AP_SmartRTL(const AP_AHRS& ahrs, bool example_mode) :
-    _ahrs(ahrs),
+AP_SmartRTL::AP_SmartRTL(bool example_mode) :
     _example_mode(example_mode)
 {
     AP_Param::setup_object_defaults(this, var_info);
@@ -170,7 +169,7 @@ bool AP_SmartRTL::pop_point(Vector3f& point)
 void AP_SmartRTL::set_home(bool position_ok)
 {
     Vector3f current_pos;
-    position_ok &= _ahrs.get_relative_position_NED_origin(current_pos);
+    position_ok &= AP::ahrs().get_relative_position_NED_origin(current_pos);
     set_home(position_ok, current_pos);
 }
 
@@ -217,7 +216,7 @@ void AP_SmartRTL::update(bool position_ok, bool save_position)
     }
 
     Vector3f current_pos;
-    position_ok &= _ahrs.get_relative_position_NED_origin(current_pos);
+    position_ok &= AP::ahrs().get_relative_position_NED_origin(current_pos);
     update(position_ok, current_pos);
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.h b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.h
index 89d2c3a2165..d77848e29ad 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/AP_SmartRTL.h
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class AP_SmartRTL {
 public:
 
     // constructor, destructor
-    AP_SmartRTL(const AP_AHRS& ahrs, bool example_mode = false);
+    AP_SmartRTL(bool example_mode = false);
 
     // initialise safe rtl including setting up background processes
     void init();
@@ -165,9 +165,6 @@ private:
     // logging
     void log_action(SRTL_Actions action, const Vector3f &point = Vector3f());
 
-    // external references
-    const AP_AHRS& _ahrs;
-
     // parameters
     AP_Float _accuracy;
     AP_Int16 _points_max;
diff --git a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/examples/SmartRTL_test/SmartRTL_test.cpp b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/examples/SmartRTL_test/SmartRTL_test.cpp
index 634fda82822..bc5c2ff8f1b 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/examples/SmartRTL_test/SmartRTL_test.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_SmartRTL/examples/SmartRTL_test/SmartRTL_test.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public:
 static DummyVehicle vehicle;
 
 AP_AHRS_NavEKF &ahrs(vehicle.ahrs);
-AP_SmartRTL smart_rtl{ahrs, true};
+AP_SmartRTL smart_rtl{true};
 AP_BoardConfig board_config;
 
 void setup();