diff --git a/src/calibre/utils/smartypants.py b/src/calibre/utils/smartypants.py
index 44aac4de8c..62845b8d7a 100644
--- a/src/calibre/utils/smartypants.py
+++ b/src/calibre/utils/smartypants.py
@@ -376,7 +376,8 @@ default_smartypants_attr = "1"
 
 import re
 
-tags_to_skip_regex = re.compile(r"<(/)?(pre|code|kbd|script|math)[^>]*>", re.I)
+# style added by Kovid
+tags_to_skip_regex = re.compile(r"<(/)?(style|pre|code|kbd|script|math)[^>]*>", re.I)
 
 
 def verify_installation(request):