diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
index fcc462e299..dab658e06b 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
@@ -1241,6 +1241,10 @@ MixerStrip::io_changed_proxy ()
 void
 MixerStrip::port_connected_or_disconnected (boost::weak_ptr<Port> wa, boost::weak_ptr<Port> wb)
 {
+    if (!_route) {
+        return;
+    }
+    
 	boost::shared_ptr<Port> a = wa.lock ();
 	boost::shared_ptr<Port> b = wb.lock ();