diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/livetrax_meters.cc b/gtk2_ardour/livetrax_meters.cc
index 6f5992e4df..6bac8b3c17 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/livetrax_meters.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/livetrax_meters.cc
@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ LiveTraxMeters::LiveTraxMeters ()
 	_meter_box.set_border_width (PX_SCALE (10));
 	_meter_box.set_spacing (PX_SCALE (10));
 
-	add (*container);
 	container->add (_meter_box);
+	container->show ();
+	add (*container);
 
 	Gtk::Viewport *vp = dynamic_cast<Gtk::Viewport*> (get_child());
 	vp->set_shadow_type(Gtk::SHADOW_NONE);