diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
index 3afee1f55f..4bdd2ce8b3 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
@@ -141,11 +141,11 @@ ARDOUR_UI::connect_dependents_to_session (ARDOUR::Session *s)
 	_livetrax_sections->set_session (s);
 	BootMessage (_("Setup Mixer"));
 	mixer->set_session (s);
+	meterbridge->set_session (s);
 
 	if (!Profile->get_livetrax()) {
 		recorder->set_session (s);
 		trigger_page->set_session (s);
-		meterbridge->set_session (s);
 	} else {
 		livetrax_time_info_box->set_session (s);
 	}
@@ -407,6 +407,11 @@ ARDOUR_UI::livetrax_setup_windows ()
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (create_meterbridge ()) {
+		error << _("UI: cannot setup meterbridge") << endmsg;
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	_livetrax_sections = new EditorSections();
 
 	Image* icon = manage (new Image (ARDOUR_UI_UTILS::get_icon ("harrison")));
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/livetrax.menus.in b/gtk2_ardour/livetrax.menus.in
index 2e631f02ac..1ca94c5a32 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/livetrax.menus.in
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/livetrax.menus.in
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@
      <menuitem action='toggle-audio-midi-setup'/>
     <separator/>
      <menuitem action='toggle-transport-masters'/>
+    <separator/>
+     <menuitem action='toggle-meterbridge'/>
      <menuitem action='toggle-big-clock'/>
      <menuitem action='toggle-big-transport'/>
     <separator/>