diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
index 772bf2027a..ce6ed294a3 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@ Mixer_UI::Mixer_UI ()
 	list_hpane.set_check_divider_position (true);
 	list_hpane.add (list_vpacker);
 	list_hpane.add (global_hpacker);
+	list_hpane.set_child_minsize (list_vpacker, 1);
 
 
 	XMLNode const * settings = ARDOUR_UI::instance()->mixer_settings();