diff --git a/pcbnew/router/router_tool.cpp b/pcbnew/router/router_tool.cpp
index 1010011386..bedbae12a8 100644
--- a/pcbnew/router/router_tool.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/router/router_tool.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,8 @@ ROUTER_TOOL::ROUTER_TOOL() :
         m_lastTargetLayer( UNDEFINED_LAYER ),
         m_originalActiveLayer( UNDEFINED_LAYER ),
         m_inRouterTool( false ),
-        m_inRouteSelected( false )
+        m_inRouteSelected( false ),
+        m_startWithVia( false )
 {
 }
 
@@ -1311,6 +1312,13 @@ void ROUTER_TOOL::performRouting( VECTOR2D aStartPosition )
     // Set initial cursor
     setCursor();
 
+    // If the user pressed 'V' before starting to route, enable via placement now
+    if( m_startWithVia )
+    {
+        m_startWithVia = false;
+        handleLayerSwitch( ACT_PlaceThroughVia.MakeEvent(), true );
+    }
+
     while( TOOL_EVENT* evt = Wait() )
     {
         setCursor();
@@ -1767,6 +1775,7 @@ int ROUTER_TOOL::MainLoop( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
 
     m_router->SetMode( mode );
     m_cancelled = false;
+    m_startWithVia = false;
 
     if( aEvent.HasPosition() )
         m_toolMgr->PrimeTool( aEvent.Position() );
@@ -1834,6 +1843,7 @@ int ROUTER_TOOL::MainLoop( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
         }
         else if( evt->IsAction( &ACT_PlaceThroughVia ) )
         {
+            m_startWithVia = true;
             m_toolMgr->RunAction( PCB_ACTIONS::layerToggle );
         }
         else if( evt->IsAction( &PCB_ACTIONS::layerChanged ) )
diff --git a/pcbnew/router/router_tool.h b/pcbnew/router/router_tool.h
index ac63abd93d..5e763b8fe6 100644
--- a/pcbnew/router/router_tool.h
+++ b/pcbnew/router/router_tool.h
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ private:
 
     bool                         m_inRouterTool;         // Re-entrancy guard
     bool                         m_inRouteSelected;
+
+    bool                         m_startWithVia;         // User pressed V before routing started
 };
 
 #endif