diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/to_html.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/to_html.py
index 8ad589c771..08746ae698 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/to_html.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/to_html.py
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ class Convert(object):
                 if space != 'preserve':
                     # Remove leading and trailing whitespace. Word ignores
                     # leading and trailing whitespace without preserve
-                    ctext = ctext.strip()
+                    ctext = ctext.strip(' \n\r\t')
                 # Only use a <span> with white-space:pre-wrap if this element
                 # actually needs it, i.e. if it has more than one
                 # consecutive space or it has newlines or tabs.