diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/char_styles.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/char_styles.py
index 0c781004d5..655f3c1b42 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/char_styles.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/char_styles.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from calibre.ebooks.docx.names import XPath, get
 def read_text_border(parent, dest):
     border_color = border_style = border_width = padding = inherit
     elems = XPath('./w:bdr')(parent)
-    if elems:
+    if elems and elems[0].attrib:
         border_color = simple_color('auto')
         border_style = 'solid'
         border_width = 1