diff --git a/src/main/io/osd.c b/src/main/io/osd.c
index d7a24c9ec..c7da460aa 100644
--- a/src/main/io/osd.c
+++ b/src/main/io/osd.c
@@ -700,7 +700,26 @@ static bool osdDrawSingleElement(uint8_t item)
         break;
 
     case OSD_ALTITUDE:
-        osdFormatAltitudeString(buff, getEstimatedAltitudeCm());
+        {
+            bool haveBaro = false;
+            bool haveGps = false;
+#ifdef USE_BARO
+            haveBaro = sensors(SENSOR_BARO);
+#endif
+#ifdef USE_GPS
+            haveGps = sensors(SENSOR_GPS) && STATE(GPS_FIX);
+#endif
+            if (haveBaro || haveGps) {
+                osdFormatAltitudeString(buff, getEstimatedAltitudeCm());
+            } else {
+                // We use this symbol when we don't have a valid measure
+                buff[0] = SYM_COLON;
+                // overwrite any previous altitude with blanks
+                memset(buff + 1, SYM_BLANK, 6);
+                buff[7] = '\0';
+            }
+        }
+
         break;
 
     case OSD_ITEM_TIMER_1:
@@ -1169,9 +1188,25 @@ static bool osdDrawSingleElement(uint8_t item)
 #ifdef USE_VARIO
     case OSD_NUMERICAL_VARIO:
         {
-            const int verticalSpeed = osdGetMetersToSelectedUnit(getEstimatedVario());
-            const char directionSymbol = verticalSpeed < 0 ? SYM_ARROW_SOUTH : SYM_ARROW_NORTH;
-            tfp_sprintf(buff, "%c%01d.%01d", directionSymbol, abs(verticalSpeed / 100), abs((verticalSpeed % 100) / 10));
+            bool haveBaro = false;
+            bool haveGps = false;
+#ifdef USE_BARO
+            haveBaro = sensors(SENSOR_BARO);
+#endif
+#ifdef USE_GPS
+            haveGps = sensors(SENSOR_GPS) && STATE(GPS_FIX);
+#endif
+            if (haveBaro || haveGps) {
+                const int verticalSpeed = osdGetMetersToSelectedUnit(getEstimatedVario());
+                const char directionSymbol = verticalSpeed < 0 ? SYM_ARROW_SOUTH : SYM_ARROW_NORTH;
+                tfp_sprintf(buff, "%c%01d.%01d", directionSymbol, abs(verticalSpeed / 100), abs((verticalSpeed % 100) / 10));
+            } else {
+                // We use this symbol when we don't have a valid measure
+                buff[0] = SYM_COLON;
+                // overwrite any previous vertical speed with blanks
+                memset(buff + 1, SYM_BLANK, 6);
+                buff[7] = '\0';
+            }
             break;
         }
 #endif
diff --git a/src/test/unit/osd_unittest.cc b/src/test/unit/osd_unittest.cc
index 787376c6a..23948be21 100644
--- a/src/test/unit/osd_unittest.cc
+++ b/src/test/unit/osd_unittest.cc
@@ -464,6 +464,7 @@ TEST(OsdTest, TestAlarms)
     // given
     // default state is set
     setDefaultSimulationState();
+    sensorsSet(SENSOR_GPS);
 
     // and
     // the following OSD elements are visible
@@ -740,12 +741,21 @@ TEST(OsdTest, TestElementAltitude)
 
     // and
     osdConfigMutable()->units = OSD_UNIT_METRIC;
+    sensorsClear(SENSOR_GPS);
 
     // when
     simulationAltitude = 0;
     displayClearScreen(&testDisplayPort);
     osdRefresh(simulationTime);
 
+    // then
+    displayPortTestBufferSubstring(23, 7, "-       ");
+
+    // when
+    sensorsSet(SENSOR_GPS);
+    displayClearScreen(&testDisplayPort);
+    osdRefresh(simulationTime);
+
     // then
     displayPortTestBufferSubstring(23, 7, "    .0%c", SYM_M);