diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc b/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
index 2b3a0dc017..fa909dfe57 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
@@ -205,7 +205,11 @@ RouteTimeAxisView::set_route (boost::shared_ptr<Route> rt)
         }
 
 	controls_table.attach (route_group_button, 7, 8, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, 0, 0);
-	controls_table.attach (gm.get_gain_slider(), 0, 5, 1, 2, Gtk::SHRINK, Gtk::SHRINK, 0, 0);
+	Gtk::VBox* pad = manage (new Gtk::VBox);
+	pad->pack_start (gm.get_gain_slider(), false, false);
+	pad->pack_start (*manage (new Gtk::Label), true, true);
+	pad->show_all ();
+	controls_table.attach (*pad, 0, 5, 1, 2, Gtk::SHRINK, Gtk::SHRINK, 0, 0);
 
 	ARDOUR_UI::instance()->set_tip(*solo_button,_("Solo"));
 	ARDOUR_UI::instance()->set_tip(*mute_button,_("Mute"));