diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
index 58969a97f5..9cba0bbac3 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
@@ -406,9 +406,9 @@ TimeAxisView::controls_ebox_button_press (GdkEventButton* event)
 }
 
 void
-TimeAxisView::idle_resize (uint32_t h)
+TimeAxisView::idle_resize (int32_t h)
 {
-	set_height (h);
+	set_height (std::max(0, h));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
index 6dc02110c2..ab990f875a 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.h
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class TimeAxisView : public virtual AxisView
 
 	uint32_t current_height() const { return height; }
 
-	void idle_resize (uint32_t);
+	void idle_resize (int32_t);
 
 	virtual guint32 show_at (double y, int& nth, Gtk::VBox *parent);
 	virtual void hide ();