diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
index 04498e879e..9420314c94 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
@@ -510,7 +510,9 @@ TimeAxisView::controls_ebox_button_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
 
 	switch (ev->button) {
 	case 1:
-		selection_click (ev);
+		if (selectable()) {
+			selection_click (ev);
+		}
 		break;
 
 	case 3:
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
index 4be23803ef..ad9add4484 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ class TimeAxisView : public virtual AxisView
 	bool hidden () const { return _hidden; }
 
 	void set_selected (bool);
+	virtual bool selectable() const { return true; }
 
 	/**
 	 * potential handler for entered events