diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/automation_time_axis.cc b/gtk2_ardour/automation_time_axis.cc
index e18ab441bc..e6186387fe 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/automation_time_axis.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/automation_time_axis.cc
@@ -253,7 +253,9 @@ void
 AutomationTimeAxisView::set_automation_state (AutoState state)
 {
 	if (!ignore_state_request) {
-		_automatable->set_parameter_automation_state (_control->parameter(), state);
+		if (_automatable) {
+			_automatable->set_parameter_automation_state (_control->parameter(), state);
+		}
 #if 0
 		if (_route == _automatable) { // This is a time axis for route (not region) automation
 			_route->set_parameter_automation_state (_control->parameter(), state);