diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml b/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
index 824f844d20..c0782d111a 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ui/audio_time_axis.xml
@@ -66,9 +66,8 @@
                  horzalignment="start"/>
         </VBox>
       </HBox>
-      <VBox spacing="1">
-        <HBox height="1"/>
-        <HBox spacing="1">
+      <VBox>
+        <HBox box.padding="2" spacing="1">
           <iconbutton id="rec_enable_button"
                       width="38"
                       height="16"