diff --git a/src/modules/fw_pos_control_l1/fw_pos_control_l1_main.cpp b/src/modules/fw_pos_control_l1/fw_pos_control_l1_main.cpp
index 5f1c64b106..ccb735e941 100644
--- a/src/modules/fw_pos_control_l1/fw_pos_control_l1_main.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/fw_pos_control_l1/fw_pos_control_l1_main.cpp
@@ -1766,7 +1766,7 @@ FixedwingPositionControl::task_main()
 					/* publish the attitude setpoint */
 					orb_publish(ORB_ID(vehicle_attitude_setpoint), _attitude_sp_pub, &_att_sp);
 
-				} else if (_attitude_sp_pub <= 0 && !_vehicle_status.is_rotary_wing) {
+				} else if (_attitude_sp_pub == nullptr && !_vehicle_status.is_rotary_wing) {
 					/* advertise and publish */
 					_attitude_sp_pub = orb_advertise(ORB_ID(vehicle_attitude_setpoint), &_att_sp);
 				}