diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/midi_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/midi_view.cc
index 06a8d3506a..02f8a5e9ef 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/midi_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/midi_view.cc
@@ -1673,6 +1673,7 @@ bool
 MidiView::note_in_region_range (const std::shared_ptr<NoteType> note, bool& visible) const
 {
 	if (!_midi_region) {
+		visible = true;
 		return true;
 	}