diff --git a/libraries/AP_OSD/AP_OSD.cpp b/libraries/AP_OSD/AP_OSD.cpp
index 4329c423e55d7..4406f5d917052 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_OSD/AP_OSD.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_OSD/AP_OSD.cpp
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ AP_OSD::AP_OSD()
     }
     AP_Param::setup_object_defaults(this, var_info);
 #if OSD_ENABLED
-    // default first screen enabled
-    screen[0].enabled.set(1);
+    // force first screen enabled
+    screen[0].enabled.set_and_default(1);
     previous_pwm_screen = -1;
 #endif
 #ifdef WITH_SITL_OSD