diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
index 7c71deb1ed..fcb690b645 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
@@ -607,7 +607,13 @@ EngineControl::build_full_control_notebook ()
 	label = manage (left_aligned_label (_("MIDI System:")));
 	basic_packer.attach (*label, 0, 1, row, row + 1, xopt, (AttachOptions) 0);
 	basic_packer.attach (midi_option_combo, 1, 2, row, row + 1, SHRINK, (AttachOptions) 0);
+#if ! defined __APPLE__  && ! defined PLATFORM_WINDOWS // => linux, YAY
+	/* Currently the only backend with dedicated Midi setup is ALSA.
+	 * lot of people complain that this is greyed out
+	 * "I can't use MIDI, the setup is greyed out"
+	 */
 	basic_packer.attach (midi_devices_button, 3, 4, row, row+1, xopt, xopt);
+#endif
 	row++;
 }