diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
index e78e333fa2..6868a19873 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ def handle_enter_press(self, ev, special_action=None, has_edit_cell=True):
                 if special_action is not None:
                     special_action(self.currentIndex())
                 gui.iactions['View'].view_triggered(self.currentIndex())
+            gui.enter_key_pressed_in_book_list.emit(self)
             return True
 
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index f4bfa5150e..96e2cb1cb3 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin,  # {{{
 
     proceed_requested = pyqtSignal(object, object)
     book_converted = pyqtSignal(object, object)
+    enter_key_pressed_in_book_list = pyqtSignal(object)  # used by action chains plugin
     shutting_down = False
 
     def __init__(self, opts, parent=None, gui_debug=None):