diff --git a/ArduCopter/Copter.h b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
index 5323dc5fe596d..a359445c993dd 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/Copter.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@ class Copter : public AP_HAL::HAL::Callbacks {
 
     bool rtl_init(bool ignore_checks);
     void rtl_restart_without_terrain();
-    void rtl_run();
+    void rtl_run(bool disarm_on_land=true);
     void rtl_climb_start();
     void rtl_return_start();
     void rtl_climb_return_run();
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ class Copter : public AP_HAL::HAL::Callbacks {
     void rtl_descent_start();
     void rtl_descent_run();
     void rtl_land_start();
-    void rtl_land_run();
+    void rtl_land_run(bool disarm_on_land);
     void rtl_build_path(bool terrain_following_allowed);
     void rtl_compute_return_target(bool terrain_following_allowed);
     bool smart_rtl_init(bool ignore_checks);
diff --git a/ArduCopter/control_auto.cpp b/ArduCopter/control_auto.cpp
index 0798efc0d9631..2b8df5fcfde7f 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/control_auto.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/control_auto.cpp
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ void Copter::auto_rtl_start()
 void Copter::auto_rtl_run()
 {
     // call regular rtl flight mode run function
-    rtl_run();
+    rtl_run(false);
 }
 
 // auto_circle_movetoedge_start - initialise waypoint controller to move to edge of a circle with it's center at the specified location
diff --git a/ArduCopter/control_rtl.cpp b/ArduCopter/control_rtl.cpp
index 33958a76f4ba9..8303d9f9d948a 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/control_rtl.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/control_rtl.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ void Copter::rtl_restart_without_terrain()
 
 // rtl_run - runs the return-to-launch controller
 // should be called at 100hz or more
-void Copter::rtl_run()
+void Copter::rtl_run(bool disarm_on_land)
 {
     // check if we need to move to next state
     if (rtl_state_complete) {
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ void Copter::rtl_run()
         break;
 
     case RTL_Land:
-        rtl_land_run();
+        rtl_land_run(disarm_on_land);
         break;
     }
 }
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ void Copter::rtl_land_start()
 
 // rtl_returnhome_run - return home
 //      called by rtl_run at 100hz or more
-void Copter::rtl_land_run()
+void Copter::rtl_land_run(bool disarm_on_land)
 {
     // if not auto armed or landing completed or motor interlock not enabled set throttle to zero and exit immediately
     if (!motors->armed() || !ap.auto_armed || ap.land_complete || !motors->get_interlock()) {
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ void Copter::rtl_land_run()
         wp_nav->init_loiter_target();
 
         // disarm when the landing detector says we've landed
-        if (ap.land_complete) {
+        if (ap.land_complete && disarm_on_land) {
             init_disarm_motors();
         }