diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
index 0b621ea1aa..671ffedb57 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
@@ -317,8 +317,10 @@ class Text(Base):
             if self.sep['ui_to_list'] == '&':
                 w.set_space_before_sep(True)
                 w.set_add_separator(tweaks['authors_completer_append_separator'])
+                w.get_editor_button().setVisible(False)
+            else:
+                w.get_editor_button().clicked.connect(self.edit)
             w.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Preferred)
-            w.get_editor_button().clicked.connect(self.edit)
         else:
             w = EditWithComplete(parent)
             w.set_separator(None)