diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml b/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
index 479fe87567..344cf83243 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@
         </VBox>
       </HBox>
       <VBox spacing="1">
+        <HBox height="1"/>
         <HBox spacing="1">
           <iconbutton id="rec_enable_button"
                       width="38"