diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/edit_tool.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/edit_tool.cpp
index 080efb6347..5c5ba9e28d 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/edit_tool.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/edit_tool.cpp
@@ -858,8 +858,8 @@ int EDIT_TOOL::Remove( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
     if( isAlt && selection.IsHover()
             && ( selection.HasType( PCB_TRACE_T ) || selection.HasType( PCB_VIA_T ) ) )
     {
-        m_toolMgr->RunAction( PCB_ACTIONS::selectConnection, true );
-        selection = m_selectionTool->RequestSelection( SELECTION_DELETABLE | SELECTION_SANITIZE_PADS );
+        m_toolMgr->RunAction( PCB_ACTIONS::expandSelectedConnection, true );
+        selection = m_selectionTool->GetSelection();
     }
 
     if( selection.Empty() )
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_actions.h b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_actions.h
index ce16016325..62f57e617e 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_actions.h
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_actions.h
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ public:
     /// Selects a connection between junctions.
     static TOOL_ACTION selectConnection;
 
+    /// Expands the current selection to select a connection between two junctions
+    static TOOL_ACTION expandSelectedConnection;
+
     /// Selects whole copper connection.
     static TOOL_ACTION selectCopper;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.cpp
index 33e3d32005..f6517855df 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.cpp
@@ -99,6 +99,11 @@ TOOL_ACTION PCB_ACTIONS::selectCopper( "pcbnew.InteractiveSelection.SelectCopper
         AS_GLOBAL, TOOL_ACTION::LegacyHotKey( HK_SEL_COPPER_CONNECTION ),
         _( "Copper Connection" ), _( "Selects whole copper connection." ) );
 
+TOOL_ACTION PCB_ACTIONS::expandSelectedConnection( "pcbnew.InteractiveSelection.ExpandConnection",
+        AS_GLOBAL, 0,
+        _( "Expand Selected Connection" ),
+        _( "Expands the current selection to select a connection between two junctions." ) );
+
 TOOL_ACTION PCB_ACTIONS::selectNet( "pcbnew.InteractiveSelection.SelectNet",
         AS_GLOBAL, 0,
         _( "Whole Net" ), _( "Selects all tracks & vias belonging to the same net." ) );
@@ -660,6 +665,7 @@ void SELECTION_TOOL::setTransitions()
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::findMove, PCB_ACTIONS::findMove.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::filterSelection, PCB_ACTIONS::filterSelection.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::selectConnection, PCB_ACTIONS::selectConnection.MakeEvent() );
+    Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::expandSelectedConnection, PCB_ACTIONS::expandSelectedConnection.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::selectCopper, PCB_ACTIONS::selectCopper.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::selectNet, PCB_ACTIONS::selectNet.MakeEvent() );
     Go( &SELECTION_TOOL::selectSameSheet, PCB_ACTIONS::selectSameSheet.MakeEvent() );
@@ -832,6 +838,12 @@ int SELECTION_TOOL::selectConnection( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
     if( !selectCursor( true, connectedTrackFilter ) )
         return 0;
 
+    return expandSelectedConnection( aEvent );
+}
+
+
+int SELECTION_TOOL::expandSelectedConnection( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
+{
     // copy the selection, since we're going to iterate and modify
     auto selection = m_selection.GetItems();
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.h b/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.h
index c96bd6a7de..37a32168b3 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.h
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/selection_tool.h
@@ -181,6 +181,9 @@ private:
     ///> Selects a trivial connection (between two junctions) of items in selection
     int selectConnection( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
 
+    ///> Expands the current selection to select a connection between two junctions
+    int expandSelectedConnection( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );
+
     ///> Selects items with a continuous copper connection to items in selection
     int selectCopper( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent );