diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/selection.cc b/gtk2_ardour/selection.cc
index 9a136bd4b8..8769c69f9e 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/selection.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/selection.cc
@@ -137,10 +137,12 @@ Selection::clear_tracks ()
 }
 
 void
-Selection::clear_time ()
+Selection::clear_time (bool clear_applied_tracks/*=true*/)
 {
 	time.clear();
-    time.tracks_in_range.clear();
+    if (clear_applied_tracks) {
+        time.tracks_in_range.clear();
+    }
     
 	TimeChanged ();
 }
@@ -864,7 +866,7 @@ long
 Selection::set (framepos_t start, framepos_t end)
 {
 	clear_objects();  //enforce region/object exclusivity
-	clear_time();
+	clear_time(false); //do not clear tracks time selection is applied to
 
 	if ((start == 0 && end == 0) || end < start) {
 		return 0;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/selection.h b/gtk2_ardour/selection.h
index 8d3e7fccc0..b8ffac9ec7 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/selection.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/selection.h
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class Selection : public sigc::trackable, public PBD::ScopedConnectionList
  * The Track selection isn't affected when ranges or objects are added.
  */
 
-	void clear_time();  //clears any time selection  ( i.e. Range )
+	void clear_time(bool clear_applied_tracks = true);  //clears any time selection  ( i.e. Range )
 	void clear_tracks ();  //clears the track header selections
 	void clear_objects();  //clears the items listed below