diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_rulers.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_rulers.cc
index 30a680d0cd..564b91c849 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_rulers.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_rulers.cc
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ Editor::initialize_rulers ()
 	ruler_grabbed_widget = 0;
 
 	Pango::FontDescription font (UIConfiguration::instance().get_SmallerFont());
-	Pango::FontDescription larger_font (UIConfiguration::instance().get_SmallFont());
+	Pango::FontDescription larger_font (UIConfiguration::instance().get_SmallBoldFont());
 
 	_timecode_metric = new TimecodeMetric (this);
 	_bbt_metric = new BBTMetric (this);