diff --git a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
index 926be91b9f..fc7670ee52 100644
--- a/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/commander/commander.cpp
@@ -862,7 +862,7 @@ int commander_thread_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			uint64_t interval_runtime = system_load.tasks[0].total_runtime - last_idle_time;
 
 			if (last_idle_time > 0)
-				status.load = 1000 - (interval_runtime / 1000);	//system load is time spent in non-idle
+				status.load = 1.0f - ((float)interval_runtime / 1e6f);	//system load is time spent in non-idle
 
 			last_idle_time = system_load.tasks[0].total_runtime;
 		}
diff --git a/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink.c b/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink.c
index 6d9ca1120e..3d34346704 100644
--- a/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink.c
+++ b/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink.c
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ int mavlink_thread_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 						    v_status.onboard_control_sensors_present,
 						    v_status.onboard_control_sensors_enabled,
 						    v_status.onboard_control_sensors_health,
-						    v_status.load,
+						    v_status.load * 1000.0f,
 						    v_status.battery_voltage * 1000.0f,
 						    v_status.battery_current * 1000.0f,
 						    v_status.battery_remaining,
diff --git a/src/modules/uORB/topics/vehicle_status.h b/src/modules/uORB/topics/vehicle_status.h
index e7feaa98eb..4d49316c3d 100644
--- a/src/modules/uORB/topics/vehicle_status.h
+++ b/src/modules/uORB/topics/vehicle_status.h
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ struct vehicle_status_s
 	uint32_t onboard_control_sensors_enabled;
 	uint32_t onboard_control_sensors_health;
 	
-	float load;
+	float load;					/**< processor load from 0 to 1 */
 	float battery_voltage;
 	float battery_current;
 	float battery_remaining;