diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
index ed959965b7..e111b0abab 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
@@ -119,7 +119,9 @@ VCAMasterStrip::VCAMasterStrip (Session* s, std::shared_ptr<VCA> v)
 	vertical_button.set_angle (90);
 	vertical_button.set_layout_font (UIConfiguration::instance().get_NormalBoldFont());
 	vertical_button.signal_button_press_event().connect (sigc::ptr_fun (&no_propagate), false);
+	vertical_button.signal_button_press_event().connect (sigc::mem_fun (*this, &VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_press), false);
 	vertical_button.signal_button_release_event().connect (sigc::mem_fun (*this, &VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_release), false);
+
 	vertical_button.set_fallthrough_to_parent (true);
 	vertical_button.set_active_color (_vca->presentation_info().color ());
 	set_tooltip (vertical_button, _("Click to show assigned channels only")); /* tooltip updated dynamically */
@@ -390,7 +392,7 @@ VCAMasterStrip::solo_changed ()
 }
 
 bool
-VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
+VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_press (GdkEventButton* ev)
 {
 	if (ev->button == 1 && ev->type == GDK_2BUTTON_PRESS) {
 		start_name_edit ();
@@ -402,9 +404,16 @@ VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
 			build_context_menu ();
 		}
 		context_menu->popup (ev->time, ev->time);
-		return false;
+		return true;
 	}
 
+	return false;
+}
+
+bool
+VCAMasterStrip::vertical_button_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
+{
+
 	if (ev->button == 1) {
 		spill ();
 	}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.h b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.h
index bc8297e553..50569e674b 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.h
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ private:
 	void unassign ();
 	void start_name_edit ();
 	void finish_name_edit (std::string, int);
+	bool vertical_button_press (GdkEventButton*);
 	bool vertical_button_release (GdkEventButton*);
 	bool number_button_press (GdkEventButton*);
 	void vca_property_changed (PBD::PropertyChange const & what_changed);