diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index 39bdc9280a..c368572e9c 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -5122,10 +5122,19 @@ ARDOUR_UI::do_audio_midi_setup (uint32_t desired_sample_rate)
 	audio_midi_setup->set_desired_sample_rate (desired_sample_rate);
 	audio_midi_setup->set_position (WIN_POS_CENTER);
 
-	int response;
+	// TODO make this a preference.
+	// (engine state is parsed by the GUI, but currently saved
+	// in preferences: ARDOUR::Config->extra_xml
+	// soooo where should this option go?)
+	if (getenv("TRY_AUTOSTART_ENGINE")) {
+		audio_midi_setup->try_autostart ();
+		if (ARDOUR::AudioEngine::instance()->running()) {
+			return 0;
+		}
+	}
 
 	while (true) {
-		response = audio_midi_setup->run();
+		int response = audio_midi_setup->run();
 		switch (response) {
 		case Gtk::RESPONSE_OK:
 			if (!AudioEngine::instance()->running()) {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
index da0e6168d9..be21170264 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.cc
@@ -423,6 +423,18 @@ EngineControl::on_show ()
 	ok_button->grab_focus();
 }
 
+bool
+EngineControl::try_autostart ()
+{
+	if (!start_stop_button.get_sensitive()) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	if (ARDOUR::AudioEngine::instance()->running()) {
+		return true;
+	}
+	return start_engine ();
+}
+
 bool
 EngineControl::start_engine ()
 {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
index faf12d7c98..8f47f2b5a3 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/engine_dialog.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ class EngineControl : public ArdourDialog, public PBD::ScopedConnectionList {
     bool set_state (const XMLNode&);
 
     void set_desired_sample_rate (uint32_t);
+    bool try_autostart ();
 
   private:
     Gtk::Notebook notebook;