diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index 737f55de6c..38fceffdd8 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -5376,10 +5376,12 @@ ARDOUR_UI::do_audio_midi_setup (uint32_t desired_sample_rate)
 	audio_midi_setup->set_desired_sample_rate (desired_sample_rate);
 	audio_midi_setup->set_position (WIN_POS_CENTER);
 
-	if (Config->get_try_autostart_engine () || getenv ("TRY_AUTOSTART_ENGINE")) {
-		audio_midi_setup->try_autostart ();
-		if (ARDOUR::AudioEngine::instance()->running()) {
-			return 0;
+	if (desired_sample_rate != 0) {
+		if (Config->get_try_autostart_engine () || getenv ("TRY_AUTOSTART_ENGINE")) {
+			audio_midi_setup->try_autostart ();
+			if (ARDOUR::AudioEngine::instance()->running()) {
+				return 0;
+			}
 		}
 	}