diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index 09a6562fb4..1e0b75d3cb 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -2836,6 +2836,10 @@ ARDOUR_UI::build_session (const std::string& path, const std::string& snap_name,
 		new_session->add_instant_xml (*n, false);
 	}
 
+	/* Put the playhead at 0 and scroll fully left */
+	new_session->instant_xml(X_("Editor"))->add_property (X_("playhead"), X_("0"));
+	new_session->instant_xml(X_("Editor"))->add_property (X_("left-frame"), X_("0"));
+
 	set_session (new_session);
 
 	session_loaded = true;