diff --git a/ArduPlane/Plane.h b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
index 10bca62c8a7b8..4a78dd32e9e01 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Plane.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
@@ -250,9 +250,6 @@ class Plane : public AP_Vehicle {
 
     // are we currently in long failsafe but have postponed it in MODE TAKEOFF until min level alt is reached
     bool long_failsafe_pending;
-    
-    //flag that we have already called autoenable fences once in MODE TAKEOFF
-    bool have_autoenabled_fences;
 
     // GCS selection
     GCS_Plane _gcs; // avoid using this; use gcs()
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode.h b/ArduPlane/mode.h
index cfe306813b31c..955a66bbc8b06 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode.h
@@ -816,6 +816,12 @@ class ModeTakeoff: public Mode
     Location start_loc;
 
     bool _enter() override;
+
+private:
+
+    // flag that we have already called autoenable fences once in MODE TAKEOFF
+    bool have_autoenabled_fences;
+
 };
 
 #if HAL_SOARING_ENABLED
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp b/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
index 325e8cab2db2d..cf518145713fc 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ ModeTakeoff::ModeTakeoff() :
 bool ModeTakeoff::_enter()
 {
     takeoff_mode_setup = false;
-    plane.have_autoenabled_fences = false;
+    have_autoenabled_fences = false;
 
     return true;
 }
@@ -155,9 +155,9 @@ void ModeTakeoff::update()
     } else {
         if ((altitude_cm >= alt * 100 - 200)) { //within 2m of TKOFF_ALT, or above and loitering
 #if AP_FENCE_ENABLED
-            if (!plane.have_autoenabled_fences) {
+            if (!have_autoenabled_fences) {
                 plane.fence.auto_enable_fence_after_takeoff();
-                plane.have_autoenabled_fences = true;
+                have_autoenabled_fences = true;
             }
 #endif
             plane.calc_nav_roll();