diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
index bbf0fd2273..7f71e35156 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
@@ -511,6 +511,7 @@ public:
 	*/
 	boost::shared_ptr<Processor> the_instrument() const;
 	InstrumentInfo& instrument_info() { return _instrument_info; }
+	bool instrument_fanned_out () const { return _instrument_fanned_out;}
 
 
 	/* "well-known" controls.
@@ -661,6 +662,7 @@ protected:
 	FedBy          _fed_by;
 
 	InstrumentInfo _instrument_info;
+	bool           _instrument_fanned_out;
 	Location*      _loop_location;
 
 	virtual ChanCount input_streams () const;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/route.cc b/libs/ardour/route.cc
index e6baf0f811..1822889b91 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/route.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/route.cc
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ Route::Route (Session& sess, string name, PresentationInfo::Flag flag, DataType
 	, _recordable (true)
 	, _have_internal_generator (false)
 	, _default_type (default_type)
+	, _instrument_fanned_out (false)
 	, _loop_location (NULL)
 	, _track_number (0)
 	, _strict_io (false)
@@ -1158,6 +1159,7 @@ Route::add_processors (const ProcessorList& others, boost::shared_ptr<Processor>
 			&& boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<PluginInsert> (the_instrument ()) == fanout) {
 		/* This adds new tracks or busses, and changes connections.
 		 * This cannot be done here, and needs to be delegated to the GUI thread. */
+		_instrument_fanned_out = true;
 		FanOut (boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<ARDOUR::Route>(shared_from_this())); /* EMIT SIGNAL */
 	}
 	return 0;
@@ -1698,6 +1700,9 @@ void
 Route::reset_instrument_info ()
 {
 	boost::shared_ptr<Processor> instr = the_instrument();
+	if (!instr) {
+		_instrument_fanned_out = false;
+	}
 	_instrument_info.set_internal_instrument (instr);
 }