diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui3.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui3.cc
index a35eb28a39..86ad0042d8 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui3.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui3.cc
@@ -230,12 +230,9 @@ ARDOUR_UI::record_state_changed ()
 
 	ActionManager::set_sensitive (ActionManager::rec_sensitive_actions, !_session->actively_recording());
 
-	if (big_clock_window) {
-		if (_session->record_status () == Session::Recording && _session->have_rec_enabled_track ()) {
-			big_clock->set_active (true);
-		} else {
-			big_clock->set_active (false);
-		}
+	if (_session->record_status () == Session::Recording && _session->have_rec_enabled_track ()) {
+		big_clock->set_active (true);
+	} else {
+		big_clock->set_active (false);
 	}
-
 }