diff --git a/pcbnew/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp b/pcbnew/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
index 2a1216eb87..d5fe3d0400 100644
--- a/pcbnew/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/ratsnest_viewitem.cpp
@@ -112,7 +112,18 @@ void RATSNEST_VIEWITEM::ViewDraw( int aLayer, KIGFX::VIEW* aView ) const
                 continue;
 
             bool enable =  !sourceNode->GetNoLine() && !targetNode->GetNoLine();
-            bool show = sourceNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible() || targetNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible();
+            bool show;
+
+            // If the ratsnest layer is currently enabled, the local ratsnest
+            // should be easy to turn off, so either element can disable it
+            // If the layer is off, the local ratsnest should be easy to turn on
+            // so either element can enable it.
+            if( sourceNode->Parent()->GetBoard()->IsElementVisible( LAYER_RATSNEST ) )
+                show = sourceNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible() &&
+                       targetNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible();
+            else
+                show = sourceNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible() ||
+                       targetNode->Parent()->GetLocalRatsnestVisible();
 
             if ( enable && show )
             {
diff --git a/pcbnew/tool_pcb_editor.cpp b/pcbnew/tool_pcb_editor.cpp
index f24bc2be4f..37db99a4ea 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tool_pcb_editor.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tool_pcb_editor.cpp
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OnSelectOptionToolbar( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
     case ID_TB_OPTIONS_SHOW_RATSNEST:
         SetElementVisibility( LAYER_RATSNEST, state );
-        OnModify();
+        PCB_BASE_FRAME::OnModify();
         Compile_Ratsnest( NULL, true );
 
         if( IsGalCanvasActive() )
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
index c86b9423c8..6f7706e960 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_editor_control.cpp
@@ -1089,25 +1089,22 @@ static bool showLocalRatsnest( TOOL_MANAGER* aToolMgr, BOARD* aBoard, const VECT
         for( auto mod : modules )
         {
             for( auto pad : mod->Pads() )
-            {
-                pad->SetLocalRatsnestVisible( false );
-            }
+                pad->SetLocalRatsnestVisible( aBoard->IsElementVisible( LAYER_RATSNEST ) );
         }
-
-        return true;
     }
-
-    for( auto item : selection )
+    else
     {
-        if( item->Type() == PCB_MODULE_T )
+        for( auto item : selection )
         {
-            for( auto pad : static_cast<MODULE *> (item)->Pads() )
+            if( auto mod = dyn_cast<MODULE*>(item) )
             {
-                pad->SetLocalRatsnestVisible( !pad->GetLocalRatsnestVisible() );
+                for( auto pad : mod->Pads() )
+                    pad->SetLocalRatsnestVisible( !pad->GetLocalRatsnestVisible() );
             }
         }
     }
 
+    aToolMgr->GetView()->MarkTargetDirty( KIGFX::TARGET_NONCACHED );
     return true;
 }