diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_session.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_session.cc
index 7daf305a09..7b626bc66e 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_session.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_session.cc
@@ -851,6 +851,11 @@ ARDOUR_UI::save_session_as ()
 		return;
 	}
 
+	if (_session->unnamed()) {
+		save_state ("", false);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	if (_session->dirty()) {
 		vector<string> actions;
 		actions.push_back (_("Abort save-as"));