diff --git a/aircraft.c b/aircraft.c
index 828723ae..733149bb 100644
--- a/aircraft.c
+++ b/aircraft.c
@@ -160,7 +160,6 @@ struct aircraft *aircraftCreate(uint32_t addr) {
 
     // initialize data validity ages
     //adjustExpire(a, 58);
-    Modes.stats_current.unique_aircraft++;
 
     updateTypeReg(a);
 
diff --git a/track.c b/track.c
index 74e29ea7..0b075f53 100644
--- a/track.c
+++ b/track.c
@@ -1943,6 +1943,9 @@ struct aircraft *trackUpdateFromMessage(struct modesMessage *mm) {
 
     // only count the aircraft as "seen" for reliable messages with CRC
     if (mm->address_reliable) {
+        if (now - a->seen > 300 * SECONDS) {
+            Modes.stats_current.unique_aircraft++;
+        }
         a->seen = now;
     }