diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor.h b/gtk2_ardour/editor.h
index 02b8b56906..e4f6ae0410 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor.h
@@ -1668,7 +1668,9 @@ public:
 	ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect*  range_marker_drag_rect;
 
 	void update_marker_drag_item (ARDOUR::Location *);
-	
+#ifdef GTKOSX
+	ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect     *bogus_background_rect;
+#endif
 	ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect     *transport_bar_range_rect;
 	ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect     *transport_bar_preroll_rect;
 	ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect     *transport_bar_postroll_rect;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas.cc
index 16a25266a8..7aed067010 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_canvas.cc
@@ -133,10 +133,14 @@ Editor::initialize_canvas ()
 		logo_item->show ();
 	}
 
-
 	/* a group to hold time (measure) lines */	
 	time_line_group = new ArdourCanvas::Group (*track_canvas->root());
 
+#ifdef GTKOSX
+	/*XXX please don't laugh. this actually improves canvas performance on osx */
+	bogus_background_rect =  new ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect (*time_line_group, 0.0, 0.0, max_canvas_coordinate/3, physical_screen_height);
+	bogus_background_rect->property_outline_pixels() = 0;
+#endif
 	transport_loop_range_rect = new ArdourCanvas::SimpleRect (*time_line_group, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, physical_screen_height);
 	transport_loop_range_rect->property_outline_pixels() = 1;
 	transport_loop_range_rect->hide();