diff --git a/libs/ardour/route.cc b/libs/ardour/route.cc
index d1303c86e5..05da9b9f64 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/route.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/route.cc
@@ -3254,7 +3254,7 @@ Route::set_processor_state (const XMLNode& node, int version)
 	ProcessorList old_list = _processors; // keep a copy
 	{
 		Glib::Threads::Mutex::Lock lx (AudioEngine::instance()->process_lock ());
-		if (!_direct_outs && Profile->get_livetrax ()) {
+		if (!_direct_outs && is_track () && Profile->get_livetrax ()) {
 			create_direct_outs ();
 		}
 
@@ -3563,6 +3563,10 @@ void
 Route::create_direct_outs ()
 {
 	/* caller must hold process lock */
+	assert (!AudioEngine::instance()->process_lock().trylock());
+
+	/* direct outs are for tracks only */
+	assert (is_track());
 
 	_direct_outs.reset (new Send (_session, pannable(), mute_master(), Delivery::DirectOuts, false));
 	_direct_outs->set_display_to_user (false);