diff --git a/src/modules/fw_pos_control/FixedwingPositionControl.cpp b/src/modules/fw_pos_control/FixedwingPositionControl.cpp
index 35a3c32c7df8..c4ce648381ad 100644
--- a/src/modules/fw_pos_control/FixedwingPositionControl.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/fw_pos_control/FixedwingPositionControl.cpp
@@ -2304,7 +2304,7 @@ FixedwingPositionControl::Run()
 			_reference_altitude = 0.f;
 		}
 
-		_current_altitude = -_local_pos.z + _local_pos.ref_alt; // Altitude AMSL in meters
+		_current_altitude = -_local_pos.z + _reference_altitude; // Altitude AMSL in meters
 
 		// handle estimator reset events. we only adjust setpoins for manual modes
 		if (_control_mode.flag_control_manual_enabled) {