diff --git a/Tools/AP_Periph/AP_Periph.cpp b/Tools/AP_Periph/AP_Periph.cpp
index 3f61511a59..c645507d82 100644
--- a/Tools/AP_Periph/AP_Periph.cpp
+++ b/Tools/AP_Periph/AP_Periph.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "AP_Periph.h"
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <dronecan_msgs.h>
+#include <GCS_MAVLink/GCS.h>
 
 #if CONFIG_HAL_BOARD == HAL_BOARD_CHIBIOS
 #include <AP_HAL_ChibiOS/hwdef/common/stm32_util.h>
@@ -245,6 +246,10 @@ void AP_Periph_FW::init()
 #if AP_SCRIPTING_ENABLED
     scripting.init();
 #endif
+
+#ifdef AP_CUSTOM_FIRMWARE_STRING
+    GCS_SEND_TEXT(MAV_SEVERITY_INFO,  AP_CUSTOM_FIRMWARE_STRING);
+#endif
     start_ms = AP_HAL::native_millis();
 }