diff --git a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rc.sensors b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rc.sensors
index 762e80e1f0..61bb097281 100644
--- a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rc.sensors
+++ b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d/rc.sensors
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ ms5611 start
 adc start
 
 # mag might be external
-hmc5883 start
+if hmc5883 start
+then
+	echo "using HMC5883"
+fi
 
 if mpu6000 start
 then