diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.cc b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.cc
index ef4743a9d5..c478ebc137 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.cc
@@ -319,6 +319,13 @@ SessionDialog::session_template_name ()
 	return string();
 }
 
+void
+SessionDialog::clear_name ()
+{
+	recent_session_display.get_selection()->unselect_all();
+	new_name_entry.set_text (string());
+}
+
 std::string
 SessionDialog::session_name (bool& should_be_new)
 {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.h b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.h
index 5471f7d707..f601ea326f 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.h
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ public:
 		_provided_session_name = session_name;
 		_provided_session_path = session_path;
 	}
+	void clear_name ();
 
 private:
 	bool new_only;