diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.cc b/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.cc
index 3ae1b2184f..bab1a80b71 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.cc
@@ -173,7 +173,6 @@ void
 AutomationController::start_touch()
 {
 	_controllable->start_touch (_controllable->session().transport_frame());
-	StartGesture.emit();  /* EMIT SIGNAL */
 }
 
 void
@@ -191,7 +190,6 @@ AutomationController::end_touch ()
 
 		_controllable->stop_touch (mark, when);
 	}
-	StopGesture.emit();  /* EMIT SIGNAL */
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.h b/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.h
index c5d64c16c7..d11ade71ef 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/automation_controller.h
@@ -77,9 +77,6 @@ public:
 
 	void stop_updating ();
 
-	sigc::signal<void> StartGesture;
-	sigc::signal<void> StopGesture;
-
 private:
 	AutomationController (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Automatable>       printer,
 	                      boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::AutomationControl> ac,