diff --git a/src/calibre/__init__.py b/src/calibre/__init__.py
index eaf5102aa1..1383fae540 100644
--- a/src/calibre/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/__init__.py
@@ -509,6 +509,7 @@ def strftime(fmt, t=None):
     if iswindows:
         if isinstance(fmt, unicode):
             fmt = fmt.encode('mbcs')
+        fmt = fmt.replace(b'%e', b'%#d')
         ans = plugins['winutil'][0].strftime(fmt, t)
     else:
         ans = time.strftime(fmt, t).decode(preferred_encoding, 'replace')