diff --git a/panels.module b/panels.module
index c049359..74d1f09 100644
--- a/panels.module
+++ b/panels.module
@@ -1015,7 +1015,11 @@ function panels_export_display($display, $prefix = '') {
   if (!empty($display->content)) {
     $region_counters = array();
     foreach ($display->content as $pane) {
-      $pid = 'new-' . ++$pid_counter;
+      $pid = $pane->pid;
+      // If a numeric pid is used make it exportable.
+      if (is_numeric($pid)) {
+        $pid = 'new-' . ++$pid_counter;
+      }
       if ($pane->pid == $display->title_pane) {
         $title_pid = $pid;
       }