diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/audio_backend.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/audio_backend.h
index d6b57eac41..c36930545d 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/audio_backend.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/audio_backend.h
@@ -161,6 +161,8 @@ public:
 	 */
 	virtual bool is_realtime () const = 0;
 
+	virtual int client_real_time_priority () { return PBD_RT_PRI_PROC; }
+
 	/* Discovering devices and parameters */
 
 	/** Return true if this backend requires the selection of a "driver"
diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/audioengine.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/audioengine.h
index 1e77f5e629..935c008e3f 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/audioengine.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/audioengine.h
@@ -109,22 +109,12 @@ class LIBARDOUR_API AudioEngine : public PortManager, public SessionHandlePtr
 	bool           in_process_thread ();
 	uint32_t       process_thread_count ();
 
-	/* internal backends
-	 * -20 : main thread
-	 * -21 : additional I/O threads e.g. MIDI
-	 * -22 : client/process threads
-	 *
-	 * search for
-	 * - pbd_realtime_pthread_create
-	 * - pbd_set_thread_priority
-	 */
-	virtual int    client_real_time_priority () { return PBD_RT_PRI_PROC; }
-
 	int            backend_reset_requested();
 	void           request_backend_reset();
 	void           request_device_list_update();
 	void           launch_device_control_app();
 
+	int            client_real_time_priority ();
 	bool           is_realtime() const;
 
 	// for the user which hold state_lock to check if reset operation is pending
diff --git a/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc b/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
index 6ed04adae6..3fc6054b3e 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
@@ -1151,6 +1151,16 @@ AudioEngine::is_realtime() const
 	return _backend->is_realtime();
 }
 
+int
+AudioEngine::client_real_time_priority ()
+{
+	if (!_backend) {
+		return PBD_RT_PRI_PROC;
+	}
+
+	return _backend->client_real_time_priority();
+}
+
 void
 AudioEngine::transport_start ()
 {