diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
index 00128a1e..20d54211 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/StepTabRibbon.cs
@@ -672,6 +672,17 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 				btnInsTrans.Enabled = btnCMTransition.Enabled = btnInsRO.Enabled = btnCMRO.Enabled = false;
 				btnInsAftH.Enabled = btnInsBefH.Enabled = false;
 				btnInsHLS.Enabled = (!MyItemInfo.IsStepSection) ? false : true;  // allow hls from step section
+				// if active item is a section and format has metasections, check that a hls can be added.
+				if (MyItemInfo.IsStepSection)
+				{
+					if (MyItemInfo.ActiveFormat.PlantFormat.FormatData.SectData.UseMetaSections)
+					// The 'editable' data config must be set to allow new steps to be created.
+					{
+						SectionConfig sc = MyItemInfo.MyConfig as SectionConfig;
+						if (sc != null && MyItemInfo.Sections != null && MyItemInfo.Sections.Count > 0 && sc.SubSection_Edit != "Y")
+							btnInsHLS.Enabled = false;
+					}
+				}
 				if (btnInsHLS.Enabled)
 				{
 					btnInsHLS.SubItems.Clear();