diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
index 09b6d37019..de5bd7a979 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
@@ -1146,6 +1146,7 @@ MixerStrip::build_route_ops_menu ()
 
 	items.push_back (MenuElem (_("Save As Template"), mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::save_as_template)));
 	items.push_back (MenuElem (_("Rename"), mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::route_rename)));
+	rename_menu_item = &items.back();
 	items.push_back (SeparatorElem());
 	items.push_back (CheckMenuElem (_("Active"), mem_fun (*this, &RouteUI::toggle_route_active)));
 	route_active_menu_item = dynamic_cast<CheckMenuItem *> (&items.back());
@@ -1181,8 +1182,7 @@ MixerStrip::name_button_button_press (GdkEventButton* ev)
 
 		Menu_Helpers::MenuList& items = route_ops_menu->items();
 		/* do not allow rename if the track is record-enabled */
-		static_cast<MenuItem*> (&items.front())->set_sensitive (!_route->record_enabled());
-
+		rename_menu_item->set_sensitive (!_route->record_enabled());
 		route_ops_menu->popup (1, ev->time);
 	}
 	return FALSE;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
index 4793e2de72..fdd5692111 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ class MixerStrip : public RouteUI, public Gtk::EventBox
 	void diskstream_changed ();
 
 	Gtk::Menu *send_action_menu;
+	Gtk::MenuItem* rename_menu_item;
 	void build_send_action_menu ();
 
 	void new_send ();