diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.cc
index c6263ef9bf..d331851975 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.cc
@@ -1622,10 +1622,33 @@ MackieControlProtocol::clear_ports ()
 }
 
 void
-MackieControlProtocol::set_subview_mode (SubViewMode sm)
+MackieControlProtocol::set_subview_mode (SubViewMode sm, boost::shared_ptr<Route> r)
 {
 	_subview_mode = sm;
-	display_view_mode ();
+	_subview_route = r;
+
+	if (_subview_mode == None) {
+		assert (!_subview_route);
+	}
+
+	{
+		Glib::Threads::Mutex::Lock lm (surfaces_lock);
+
+		for (Surfaces::iterator s = surfaces.begin(); s != surfaces.end(); ++s) {
+			(*s)->subview_mode_changed ();
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* turn buttons related to vpot mode on or off as required */
+
+	if (_subview_mode != None) {
+		update_global_button (Button::Trim, off);
+		update_global_button (Button::Send, off);
+		update_global_button (Button::Pan, off);
+	} else {
+		pot_mode_globals ();
+	}
+
 }
 
 void
@@ -1649,15 +1672,6 @@ MackieControlProtocol::display_view_mode ()
 			(*s)->update_view_mode_display ();
 		}
 	}
-
-	/* turn buttons related to vpot mode on or off as required */
-	if (_subview_mode != None) {
-		update_global_button (Button::Trim, off);
-		update_global_button (Button::Send, off);
-		update_global_button (Button::Pan, off);
-	} else {
-		pot_mode_globals ();
-	}
 }
 
 void
@@ -2150,3 +2164,21 @@ MackieControlProtocol::selected (boost::shared_ptr<Route> r) const
 	}
 	return false;
 }
+
+boost::shared_ptr<Route>
+MackieControlProtocol::first_selected_route () const
+{
+	if (_last_selected_routes.empty()) {
+		return boost::shared_ptr<Route>();
+	}
+
+	boost::shared_ptr<Route> r = _last_selected_routes.front().lock();
+
+	return r; /* may be null */
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<Route>
+MackieControlProtocol::subview_route () const
+{
+	return _subview_route;
+}
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.h b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.h
index a5ec5da4d1..93e90c56f2 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.h
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mackie_control_protocol.h
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ class MackieControlProtocol
 	FlipMode flip_mode () const { return _flip_mode; }
 	ViewMode view_mode () const { return _view_mode; }
 	SubViewMode subview_mode () const { return _subview_mode; }
+	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> subview_route() const;
 	PotMode pot_mode () const { return _pot_mode; }
 	bool zoom_mode () const { return modifier_state() & MODIFIER_ZOOM; }
 	bool     metering_active () const { return _metering_active; }
@@ -158,9 +159,10 @@ class MackieControlProtocol
 	bool is_audio_track (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>) const;
 	bool is_midi_track (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>) const;
 	bool selected (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>) const;
+	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> first_selected_route () const;
 
 	void set_view_mode (ViewMode);
-	void set_subview_mode (SubViewMode);
+	void set_subview_mode (SubViewMode, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>);
 	void set_flip_mode (FlipMode);
 	void set_pot_mode (PotMode);
 	void pot_mode_globals ();
@@ -330,6 +332,7 @@ class MackieControlProtocol
 	FlipMode                 _flip_mode;
 	ViewMode                 _view_mode;
 	SubViewMode              _subview_mode;
+	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> _subview_route;
 	PotMode                  _pot_mode;
 	int                      _current_selected_track;
 	int                      _modifier_state;
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mcp_buttons.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mcp_buttons.cc
index e92b8e8a75..0ae214cc78 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/mcp_buttons.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/mcp_buttons.cc
@@ -690,8 +690,9 @@ LedState
 MackieControlProtocol::eq_press (Button &)
 {
 	if (Profile->get_mixbus()) {
-		if (_last_selected_routes.size() == 1) {
-			set_subview_mode (EQ);
+		boost::shared_ptr<Route> r = first_selected_route ();
+		if (r) {
+			set_subview_mode (EQ, r);
 			return on;
 		}
 	}
@@ -707,11 +708,17 @@ LedState
 MackieControlProtocol::dyn_press (Button &)
 {
 	if (Profile->get_mixbus()) {
-		set_subview_mode (Dynamics);
-		return on;
+		boost::shared_ptr<Route> r = first_selected_route ();
+
+		if (r) {
+			set_subview_mode (Dynamics, r);
+			return on;
+		}
 	}
+
 	return none;
 }
+
 LedState
 MackieControlProtocol::dyn_release (Button &)
 {
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
index be3d622213..f4eda5b919 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ Strip::show_route_name ()
 void
 Strip::notify_eq_change (AutomationType p, uint32_t port_number, bool force_update)
 {
-	if (!_subview_route) {
+	if (_surface->mcp().subview_mode() == MackieControlProtocol::None) {
 		/* no longer in EQ subview mode */
 		return;
 	}
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ Strip::notify_eq_change (AutomationType p, uint32_t port_number, bool force_upda
 		return;
 	}
 
-	boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> eq = _subview_route->ch_eq();
+	boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> eq = _surface->mcp().subview_route()->ch_eq();
 
 	if (eq) {
 		boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl> control = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<ARDOUR::AutomationControl> (eq->control (Evoral::Parameter (ARDOUR::PluginAutomation, 0, port_number)));
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ Strip::vpot_mode_string ()
 		return "LFE";
 	}
 
-	if (_subview_route) {
+	if (_surface->mcp().subview_mode() != MackieControlProtocol::None) {
 		return string();
 	}
 
@@ -1287,7 +1287,8 @@ Strip::return_to_vpot_mode_display ()
 	/* returns the second line of the two-line per-strip display
 	   back the mode where it shows what the VPot controls.
 	*/
-	if (_subview_route) {
+
+	if (_surface->mcp().subview_mode() != MackieControlProtocol::None) {
 		/* do nothing - second line shows value of current subview parameter */
 		return;
 	} else if (_route) {
@@ -1387,13 +1388,13 @@ Strip::next_pot_mode ()
 }
 
 void
-Strip::use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::SubViewMode sm, boost::shared_ptr<Route> target_route)
+Strip::subview_mode_changed ()
 {
-	if (!_route) {
-		return;
-	}
+	boost::shared_ptr<Route> r = _surface->mcp().subview_route();
 
-	switch (sm) {
+	subview_connections.drop_connections ();
+
+	switch (_surface->mcp().subview_mode()) {
 	case MackieControlProtocol::None:
 		if (vpot_parameter != NullAutomation) {
 			set_vpot_parameter (vpot_parameter);
@@ -1403,28 +1404,28 @@ Strip::use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::SubViewMode sm, boost::shared_ptr<Rou
 	case MackieControlProtocol::EQ:
 		switch (_index) {
 		case 0:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam1, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam1);
 			break;
 		case 1:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam2, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam2);
 			break;
 		case 2:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam3, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam3);
 			break;
 		case 3:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam4, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam4);
 			break;
 		case 4:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam5, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam5);
 			break;
 		case 5:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam6, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam6);
 			break;
 		case 6:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam7, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam7);
 			break;
 		case 7:
-			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam8, target_route);
+			set_vpot_parameter (ARDOUR::EQParam8);
 			break;
 		}
 		break;
@@ -1435,7 +1436,7 @@ Strip::use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::SubViewMode sm, boost::shared_ptr<Rou
 }
 
 void
-Strip::set_vpot_parameter (Evoral::Parameter p, boost::shared_ptr<Route> target_route)
+Strip::set_vpot_parameter (Evoral::Parameter p)
 {
 	boost::shared_ptr<Pannable> pannable;
 
@@ -1443,17 +1444,6 @@ Strip::set_vpot_parameter (Evoral::Parameter p, boost::shared_ptr<Route> target_
 
 	reset_saved_values ();
 
-	/* target route is either null, or points to a route other than the one
-	   we are controlling/viewing, to be used while in a particular subview
-	   state (e.g. EQ or Dynamics)
-	*/
-
-	if (target_route != _subview_route) {
-		subview_connections.drop_connections ();
-	}
-
-	_subview_route = target_route;
-
 	/* unset any mapping between the vpot and any existing parameters */
 
 	for (ControlParameterMap::iterator i = control_by_parameter.begin(); i != control_by_parameter.end(); ++i) {
@@ -1726,12 +1716,14 @@ Strip::notify_metering_state_changed()
 void
 Strip::hookup_eq (AutomationType param, uint32_t port_number)
 {
-	if (!_subview_route) {
+	boost::shared_ptr<Route> r = _surface->mcp().subview_route();
+
+	if (!r) {
 		_vpot->set_control (boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl>());
 		return;
 	}
 
-	boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> eq = _subview_route->ch_eq();
+	boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> eq = r->ch_eq();
 
 	if (!eq) {
 		_vpot->set_control (boost::shared_ptr<AutomationControl>());
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.h b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.h
index 4f3b0136dd..1320df0187 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.h
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.h
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ public:
 	void zero ();
 
 	void potmode_changed (bool notify=false);
+	void subview_mode_changed ();
 
 	void lock_controls ();
 	void unlock_controls ();
@@ -89,8 +90,6 @@ public:
 	void block_screen_display_for (uint32_t msecs);
 	void block_vpot_mode_display_for (uint32_t msecs);
 
-	void use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::SubViewMode, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>);
-
 private:
 	Button*  _solo;
 	Button*  _recenable;
@@ -109,7 +108,6 @@ private:
 	uint64_t _block_vpot_mode_redisplay_until;
 	uint64_t _block_screen_redisplay_until;
 	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> _route;
-	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> _subview_route;
 	PBD::ScopedConnectionList route_connections;
 	PBD::ScopedConnectionList subview_connections;
 	PBD::ScopedConnectionList send_connections;
@@ -161,7 +159,7 @@ private:
 	std::vector<Evoral::Parameter> possible_pot_parameters;
 	std::vector<Evoral::Parameter> possible_trim_parameters;
 	void next_pot_mode ();
-	void set_vpot_parameter (Evoral::Parameter, boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> target_route = boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>());
+	void set_vpot_parameter (Evoral::Parameter);
 	void show_route_name ();
 
 	void reset_saved_values ();
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.cc
index 336855659b..44a31804e3 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.cc
@@ -1029,7 +1029,7 @@ Surface::update_flip_mode_display ()
 	}
 }
 
- void
+void
 Surface::update_potmode ()
 {
 	for (Strips::iterator s = strips.begin(); s != strips.end(); ++s) {
@@ -1037,27 +1037,16 @@ Surface::update_potmode ()
 	}
 }
 
-bool
-Surface::update_subview_mode_display ()
+void
+Surface::subview_mode_changed ()
 {
-	switch (_mcp.subview_mode()) {
-	case MackieControlProtocol::None:
-		for (Strips::iterator s = strips.begin(); s != strips.end(); ++s) {
-			(*s)->use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::None, strips.front()->route());
-		}
-		/* normal display is required */
-		return false;
-	case MackieControlProtocol::EQ:
-		for (Strips::iterator s = strips.begin(); s != strips.end(); ++s) {
-			(*s)->use_subview (MackieControlProtocol::EQ, strips.front()->route());
-		}
-		break;
-	case MackieControlProtocol::Dynamics:
-		break;
+	for (Strips::iterator s = strips.begin(); s != strips.end(); ++s) {
+		(*s)->subview_mode_changed ();
 	}
 
-	/* no normal display required */
-	return true;
+	if (_mcp.subview_mode() == MackieControlProtocol::None) {
+		update_view_mode_display ();
+	}
 }
 
 void
@@ -1070,10 +1059,6 @@ Surface::update_view_mode_display ()
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (update_subview_mode_display ()) {
-		return;
-	}
-
 	switch (_mcp.view_mode()) {
 	case MackieControlProtocol::Mixer:
 		show_two_char_display ("Mx");
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.h b/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.h
index df667ec1e2..5246cf9857 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.h
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/surface.h
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ public:
 	void update_potmode ();
 
 	void gui_selection_changed (const ARDOUR::StrongRouteNotificationList&);
+	void subview_mode_changed ();
 
 	MackieControlProtocol& mcp() const { return _mcp; }
 
@@ -205,7 +206,6 @@ public:
 	int connection_state;
 
 	MidiByteArray display_line (std::string const& msg, int line_num);
-	bool update_subview_mode_display ();
 
   public:
 	/* IP MIDI devices need to keep a handle on this and destroy it */