diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index b508bf9548..f86defaaf4 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -2369,6 +2369,7 @@ ARDOUR_UI::close_session()
 
 	unload_session (true);
 
+	ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name = "";
 	get_session_parameters (false);
 }