diff --git a/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.cpp b/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.cpp
index 263cbaa027..759088524a 100644
--- a/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.cpp
@@ -52,6 +52,15 @@ ManualControl::~ManualControl()
 
 bool ManualControl::init()
 {
+#if defined(PAYLOAD_POWER_EN)
+
+	// If the payload power switch is mapped, default to power off until the RC switch explicitly commands it on.
+	if (_param_rc_map_pay_sw.get()) {
+		PAYLOAD_POWER_EN(false);
+	}
+
+#endif // PAYLOAD_POWER_EN
+
 	ScheduleNow();
 	return true;
 }
@@ -293,6 +302,18 @@ void ManualControl::processSwitches(hrt_abstime &now)
 			} else if (!_armed) {
 				// Directly initialize mode using RC switch but only before arming
 				evaluateModeSlot(switches.mode_slot);
+#if defined(PAYLOAD_POWER_EN)
+
+				// Apply payload power state on first switch receipt if not armed
+				if (switches.payload_power_switch == manual_control_switches_s::SWITCH_POS_ON) {
+					PAYLOAD_POWER_EN(true);
+
+				} else if (switches.payload_power_switch == manual_control_switches_s::SWITCH_POS_OFF
+					   || switches.payload_power_switch == manual_control_switches_s::SWITCH_POS_MIDDLE) {
+					PAYLOAD_POWER_EN(false);
+				}
+
+#endif // PAYLOAD_POWER_EN
 			}
 
 			_previous_switches = switches;
diff --git a/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.hpp b/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.hpp
index 42856bb650..fd01cbdab0 100644
--- a/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.hpp
+++ b/src/modules/manual_control/ManualControl.hpp
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ private:
 		(ParamBool<px4::params::MAN_ARM_GESTURE>) _param_man_arm_gesture,
 		(ParamFloat<px4::params::MAN_KILL_GEST_T>) _param_man_kill_gest_t,
 		(ParamBool<px4::params::COM_ARM_SWISBTN>) _param_com_arm_swisbtn,
+		(ParamInt<px4::params::RC_MAP_PAY_SW>) _param_rc_map_pay_sw,
 		(ParamInt<px4::params::COM_FLTMODE1>) _param_fltmode_1,
 		(ParamInt<px4::params::COM_FLTMODE2>) _param_fltmode_2,
 		(ParamInt<px4::params::COM_FLTMODE3>) _param_fltmode_3,