diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.logic.cc b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.logic.cc
index 48734298aa..00b320e6d5 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.logic.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/session_dialog.logic.cc
@@ -150,10 +150,11 @@ SessionDialog::on_new_session (WavesButton*)
 {
 #ifdef __APPLE__  
     set_keep_above(false);
-    _selected_session_full_name = ARDOUR::save_file_dialog(Config->get_default_session_parent_dir(),_("Create New Session"));
+    string temp_session_full_file_name = ARDOUR::save_file_dialog(Config->get_default_session_parent_dir(),_("Create New Session"));
     set_keep_above(true);
     
-    if(_selected_session_full_name.size() >= 1) {
+    if(!temp_session_full_file_name.empty()) {
+        _selected_session_full_name = temp_session_full_file_name;
         for (size_t i = 0; i < MAX_RECENT_SESSION_COUNTS; i++) {
             _recent_session_button[i]->set_active (false);
 		}
@@ -336,13 +337,13 @@ SessionDialog::on_open_selected (WavesButton*)
 void
 SessionDialog::on_open_saved_session (WavesButton*)
 {
-	
 #ifdef __APPLE__
 	set_keep_above(false);
-    _selected_session_full_name = ARDOUR::open_file_dialog(Config->get_default_session_parent_dir(), _("Select Saved Session"));
+    string temp_session_full_file_name = ARDOUR::open_file_dialog(Config->get_default_session_parent_dir(), _("Select Saved Session"));
     set_keep_above(true);
     
-    if(_selected_session_full_name.size() >= 1) {
+    if(!temp_session_full_file_name.empty()) {
+        _selected_session_full_name = temp_session_full_file_name;
         for (size_t i = 0; i < MAX_RECENT_SESSION_COUNTS; i++) {
             _recent_session_button[i]->set_active (false);
 		}