diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
index 27b0d1b08c..d84d92267d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ Editor::Editor ()
 	, cut_buffer_start (0)
 	, cut_buffer_length (0)
 	, button_bindings (0)
-	, last_paste_pos (0)
+	, last_paste_pos (-1)
 	, paste_count (0)
 	, sfbrowser (0)
 	, current_interthread_info (0)
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
index f015cc8931..414768f2f1 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
@@ -4279,7 +4279,7 @@ Editor::cut_copy (CutCopyOp op)
 	if (did_edit) {
 		/* reset repeated paste state */
 		paste_count    = 0;
-		last_paste_pos = 0;
+		last_paste_pos = -1;
 		commit_reversible_command ();
 	}