diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index dce3fbfac8..127e3c4e22 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -4439,7 +4439,9 @@ ARDOUR_UI::add_route_dialog_response (int r)
 		session_add_midi_bus (route_group, count, name_template, strict_io, instrument, 0, order);
 		break;
 	case AddRouteDialog::VCAMaster:
-		_session->vca_manager().create_vca (count, name_template);
+		if (!_session->vca_manager().create_vca (count, name_template).empty ()) {
+			ActionManager::get_toggle_action ("Mixer", "ToggleVCAPane")->set_active (true);
+		}
 		break;
 	case AddRouteDialog::FoldbackBus:
 		session_add_foldback_bus (count, name_template);