diff --git a/src/calibre/utils/formatter.py b/src/calibre/utils/formatter.py
index 82d2777830..4f6569ea69 100644
--- a/src/calibre/utils/formatter.py
+++ b/src/calibre/utils/formatter.py
@@ -322,6 +322,7 @@ class TemplateFormatter(string.Formatter):
         string.Formatter.__init__(self)
         self.book = None
         self.kwargs = None
+        self.strip_results = True
         self.locals = {}
 
     def _do_format(self, val, fmt):