diff --git a/layout.c b/layout.c
index 569616f1f..d5dcf1ccf 100644
--- a/layout.c
+++ b/layout.c
@@ -1184,6 +1184,32 @@ layout_resize_child_cells(struct window *w, struct layout_cell *lc)
 	}
 }
 
+/*
+ * Replaces the provided layout cell with a new node of the specified type and
+ * inserts the cell into it. Used when creating new cells requires a different
+ * layout type, or when the root layout is a window pane.
+ */
+struct layout_cell *
+layout_replace_with_node(struct window *w, struct layout_cell *lc,
+    enum layout_type type)
+{
+	struct layout_cell	*lcparent;
+
+	lcparent = layout_create_cell(lc->parent);
+	layout_make_node(lcparent, type);
+	layout_set_size(lcparent, lc->sx, lc->sy, lc->xoff, lc->yoff);
+	if (lc->parent == NULL)
+		w->layout_root = lcparent;
+	else
+		TAILQ_REPLACE(&lc->parent->cells, lc, lcparent, entry);
+
+	/* Insert the old cell. */
+	lc->parent = lcparent;
+	TAILQ_INSERT_HEAD(&lcparent->cells, lc, entry);
+
+	return (lcparent);
+}
+
 /*
  * Split a pane into two. size is a hint, or -1 for default half/half
  * split. This must be followed by layout_assign_pane before much else happens!
@@ -1315,17 +1341,7 @@ layout_split_pane(struct window_pane *wp, enum layout_type type, int size,
 		 */
 
 		/* Create and insert the replacement parent. */
-		lcparent = layout_create_cell(lc->parent);
-		layout_make_node(lcparent, type);
-		layout_set_size(lcparent, sx, sy, xoff, yoff);
-		if (lc->parent == NULL)
-			wp->window->layout_root = lcparent;
-		else
-			TAILQ_REPLACE(&lc->parent->cells, lc, lcparent, entry);
-
-		/* Insert the old cell. */
-		lc->parent = lcparent;
-		TAILQ_INSERT_HEAD(&lcparent->cells, lc, entry);
+		lcparent = layout_replace_with_node(wp->window, lc, type);
 
 		/* Create the new child cell. */
 		lcnew = layout_create_cell(lcparent);
@@ -1384,14 +1400,7 @@ layout_floating_pane(struct window *w, struct window_pane *wp, u_int sx,
 		* Adding a pane to a root that isn't node. Must create and
 		* insert a new root.
 		*/
-		lcparent = layout_create_cell(NULL);
-		layout_make_node(lcparent, LAYOUT_TOPBOTTOM);
-		layout_set_size(lcparent, w->sx, w->sy, 0, 0);
-		w->layout_root = lcparent;
-
-		/* Insert the old cell. */
-		lc->parent = lcparent;
-		TAILQ_INSERT_HEAD(&lcparent->cells, lc, entry);
+		lcparent = layout_replace_with_node(w, lc, LAYOUT_TOPBOTTOM);
 	}
 
 	lcnew = layout_create_cell(lcparent);
@@ -1712,7 +1721,11 @@ layout_remove_tile(struct window *w, struct layout_cell *lc)
 		layout_resize_adjust(w, lcneighbour, type, change);
 	}
 
-	/* Zeroing out the cell geometry until the cell is retiled. */
-	layout_set_size(lc, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	/*
+	 * Zeroing out the cell geometry until the cell is retiled unless this
+	 * is the top level node.
+	 */
+	if (lc->parent != NULL)
+		layout_set_size(lc, 0, 0, 0, 0);
 	return (1);
 }
diff --git a/tmux.h b/tmux.h
index d80e9b793..b03525c7e 100644
--- a/tmux.h
+++ b/tmux.h
@@ -3643,6 +3643,8 @@ int		 layout_resize_floating_pane_to(struct window_pane *,
 		     enum layout_type, u_int, char **);
 void		 layout_assign_pane(struct layout_cell *, struct window_pane *,
 		     int);
+struct layout_cell *layout_replace_with_node(struct window *,
+		     struct layout_cell *, enum layout_type);
 struct layout_cell *layout_split_pane(struct window_pane *, enum layout_type,
 		     int, int);
 struct layout_cell *layout_floating_pane(struct window *, struct window_pane *,