diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/oeb/stylizer.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/oeb/stylizer.py
index f34a4d7dc5..e9f806db0f 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/oeb/stylizer.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/oeb/stylizer.py
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ class Style(object):
         if val != 'baseline':
             return val
         parent = self._get_parent()
-        if parent is not None:
+        if parent is not None and 'inline' in parent['display']:
             return parent.first_vertical_align
 
     @property