diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
index 55810569b0..96050c3b09 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
@@ -7282,14 +7282,17 @@ Editor::end_track_drag ()
 		gdk_window_set_cursor (edit_controls_vbox.get_toplevel()->get_window()->gobj(), track_drag->predrag_cursor);
 	}
 
-	delete track_drag;
-	track_drag = nullptr;
+	bool did_move = !track_drag->first_move;
+
+ 	delete track_drag;
+ 	track_drag = nullptr;
 
 	/* the suspender was deleted with track_drag, now catch up on any track
 	   numbering and side effects
 	*/
-
-	_session->update_track_numbers ();
+	if (did_move) {
+		_session->update_track_numbers ();
+	}
 }
 
 bool