diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
index b866172c95..b578fa3954 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
@@ -462,6 +462,7 @@ class IdentifyWidget(QWidget):  # {{{
 
         self.query = QLabel('download starting...')
         self.query.setWordWrap(True)
+        self.query.setTextFormat(Qt.TextFormat.PlainText)
         l.addWidget(self.query)
 
         self.comments_view.show_wait()