diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
index f7185f1160..648ea79570 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor.cc
@@ -2927,16 +2927,9 @@ Editor::snap_to_internal (framepos_t& start, int32_t direction, bool for_mark)
 bool
 Editor::vertical_fader_pressed(GdkEventButton* ev)
 {
-    int alt_modifier;
-#ifdef __APPLE__
-    alt_modifier = Keyboard::Level4Modifier;
-#endif
-    
-#ifdef _WIN32
-    alt_modifier = Keyboard::SecondaryModifier;
-#endif
-    
-    if (Keyboard::modifier_state_equals (ev->state, alt_modifier)) {
+    /* MOD1 == "Alt" */
+
+    if (Keyboard::modifier_state_equals (ev->state, GDK_MOD1_MASK)) {
     
         for (TrackViewList::iterator i = track_views.begin(); i != track_views.end(); ++i) {
             (*i)->set_height ( 2*22 ); // set height to default value 2*22 pix