diff --git a/src/calibre/customize/conversion.py b/src/calibre/customize/conversion.py
index 7f5cf35068..ba8112f569 100644
--- a/src/calibre/customize/conversion.py
+++ b/src/calibre/customize/conversion.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class ConversionOption(object):
         return hash(self.name)
 
     def __eq__(self, other):
-        return self.name == other.name
+        return self.name == getattr(other, 'name', other)
 
     def clone(self):
         return ConversionOption(name=self.name, help=self.help,