diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.cc
index 0b3062be8c..9a3f3360d2 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.cc
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
 
 using namespace Mackie;
 
-int const Pot::External = 0x2e;
+int const Pot::External = 0x2e; /* specific ID for "vpot" representing external control */
+int const Pot::ID       = 0x10; /* base value for v-pot IDs */
 
 Control*
 Pot::factory (Surface& surface, int id, const char* name, Group& group)
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.h b/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.h
index 5aa4f297d1..f8e94a3391 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.h
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/pot.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class Pot : public Control
 {
 public:
 	static int const External;
+	static int const ID;
 
 	enum Mode {
 		dot = 0,
diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
index 2d65b663ca..48cc61cec9 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/strip.cc
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ Strip::Strip (Surface& s, const std::string& name, int index, const map<Button::
 	, _last_pan_position_written (-1.0)
 {
 	_fader = dynamic_cast<Fader*> (Fader::factory (*_surface, index, "fader", *this));
-	_vpot = dynamic_cast<Pot*> (Pot::factory (*_surface, index, "vpot", *this));
+	_vpot = dynamic_cast<Pot*> (Pot::factory (*_surface, Pot::ID + index, "vpot", *this));
 	_meter = dynamic_cast<Meter*> (Meter::factory (*_surface, index, "meter", *this));
 
 	for (map<Button::ID,StripButtonInfo>::const_iterator b = strip_buttons.begin(); b != strip_buttons.end(); ++b) {