diff --git a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiRef.cpp b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiRef.cpp
index 549e3ccbc6..0d213874e3 100644
--- a/src/frontends/qt4/GuiRef.cpp
+++ b/src/frontends/qt4/GuiRef.cpp
@@ -251,7 +251,8 @@ void GuiRef::updateContents()
 	nameL->setHidden(!nameAllowed());
 
 	// restore type settings for new insets
-	if (params_["reference"].empty())
+	bool const new_inset = params_["reference"].empty();
+	if (new_inset)
 		typeCO->setCurrentIndex(orig_type);
 	else
 		typeCO->setCurrentIndex(InsetRef::getType(params_.getCmdName()));
@@ -281,7 +282,9 @@ void GuiRef::updateContents()
 	active_buffer_ = thebuffer;
 
 	updateRefs();
-	bc().setValid(false);
+	// Activate OK/Apply buttons if the users inserts a new ref
+	// and we have a valid pre-setting.
+	bc().setValid(isValid() && new_inset);
 }