diff --git a/sw/airborne/arch/stm32/subsystems/radio_control/spektrum_arch.h b/sw/airborne/arch/stm32/subsystems/radio_control/spektrum_arch.h
index d96250e7d72..bf6a3705805 100644
--- a/sw/airborne/arch/stm32/subsystems/radio_control/spektrum_arch.h
+++ b/sw/airborne/arch/stm32/subsystems/radio_control/spektrum_arch.h
@@ -34,11 +34,19 @@
 #define RADIO_CONTROL_NB_CHANNEL 12
 #endif
 
-
+/* default channel assignments */
+#ifndef RADIO_THROTTLE
 #define RADIO_THROTTLE   0
+#endif
+#ifndef RADIO_ROLL
 #define RADIO_ROLL       1
+#endif
+#ifndef RADIO_PITCH
 #define RADIO_PITCH      2
+#endif
+#ifndef RADIO_YAW
 #define RADIO_YAW        3
+#endif
 #define RADIO_GEAR       4
 #define RADIO_FLAP       5
 #define RADIO_AUX1       5