diff --git a/autoload/airline/extensions/tabline/buffers.vim b/autoload/airline/extensions/tabline/buffers.vim
index 35b9e98f..88ebe5c8 100644
--- a/autoload/airline/extensions/tabline/buffers.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline/extensions/tabline/buffers.vim
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ function! airline#extensions#tabline#buffers#clickbuf(minwid, clicks, button, mo
       elseif a:button is# 'm'
         " middle button - delete buffer
 
-        if get(g:, 'airline#extensions#tabline#middle_click_preserves_windows', 0) == 0
+        if get(g:, 'airline#extensions#tabline#middle_click_preserves_windows', 0) == 0 || winnr('$') == 1
           " just simply delete the clicked buffer. This will cause windows
           " associated with the clicked buffer to be closed.
           silent execute 'bdelete' a:minwid
diff --git a/doc/airline.txt b/doc/airline.txt
index 8fa558ff..5ef18d32 100644
--- a/doc/airline.txt
+++ b/doc/airline.txt
@@ -963,7 +963,8 @@ Note: Enabling this extension will modify 'showtabline' and 'guioptions'.
    won't update airline on |:badd| commands) >
   let airline#extensions#tabline#disable_refresh = 0
 
-* preserve windows when closing a buffer from the bufferline (default: 0) >
+* preserve windows when closing a buffer from the bufferline (neovim specific,
+  only works with buffers and not real tabs, default: 0) >
   let airline#extensions#tabline#middle_click_preserves_windows = 1
 <
 -------------------------------------                        *airline-taboo*