diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_button.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_button.cc
index ccf45c6121..7008811e3c 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_button.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_button.cc
@@ -172,6 +172,9 @@ ArdourButton::set_layout_font (const Pango::FontDescription& fd)
 void
 ArdourButton::set_text (const std::string& str)
 {
+	if (_text == str) {
+		return;
+	}
 	_text = str;
 	if (!is_realized()) {
 		return;