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 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.