diff --git a/libs/widgets/ardour_button.cc b/libs/widgets/ardour_button.cc
index 2447362410..3d527ebdf9 100644
--- a/libs/widgets/ardour_button.cc
+++ b/libs/widgets/ardour_button.cc
@@ -289,7 +289,8 @@ ArdourButton::render (Cairo::RefPtr<Cairo::Context> const& ctx, cairo_rectangle_
 	}
 
 	if ( active_state() == Gtkmm2ext::ExplicitActive ) {
-		text_color = text_active_color;
+		bool led = (_elements & Indicator)==Indicator;
+		text_color = led ? text_inactive_color :  text_active_color;
 		led_color = led_active_color;
 	} else {
 		text_color = text_inactive_color;