diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas_events.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas_events.cc
index 7dc3850352..ca475bf40d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas_events.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas_events.cc
@@ -410,6 +410,18 @@ Editor::canvas_automation_track_event (GdkEvent *event, ArdourCanvas::Item* item
 		ret = leave_handler (item, event, AutomationTrackItem);
 		break;
 
+	case GDK_KEY_PRESS:
+		if (_drags->active()) {
+			return _drags->mid_drag_key_event (&event->key);
+		}
+		break;
+
+	case GDK_KEY_RELEASE:
+		if (_drags->active()) {
+			return _drags->mid_drag_key_event (&event->key);
+		}
+		break;
+
 	default:
 		break;
 	}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.cc
index 65b79d3173..3522dcba3d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.cc
@@ -157,6 +157,21 @@ DragManager::preview_video () const
 	return false;
 }
 
+bool
+DragManager::mid_drag_key_event (GdkEventKey* ev)
+{
+	bool handled = false;
+
+	for (auto & drag : _drags) {
+		if (drag->mid_drag_key_event (ev)) {
+			handled = true;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return handled;
+}
+
 void
 DragManager::start_grab (GdkEvent* e, Gdk::Cursor* c)
 {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.h b/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.h
index 216b413abd..640a71eb17 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_drag.h
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
 	~DragManager ();
 
 	bool motion_handler (GdkEvent *, bool);
-
+	bool mid_drag_key_event (GdkEventKey*);
 	void abort ();
 	void add (Drag *);
 	void set (Drag *, GdkEvent *, Gdk::Cursor* c = MouseCursors::invalid_cursor());
@@ -238,6 +238,8 @@ public:
 		return true;
 	}
 
+	virtual bool mid_drag_key_event (GdkEventKey*)  { return false; }
+
 	bool initially_vertical() const {
 		return _initially_vertical;
 	}