diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/complete.py b/src/calibre/gui2/complete.py
index 226fe8b9c7..1da0042bdd 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/complete.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/complete.py
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ class MultiCompleteComboBox(EnComboBox):
         # item that matches case insensitively
         c = self.lineEdit().completer()
         c.setCaseSensitivity(Qt.CaseSensitive)
+        self.dummy_model = CompleteModel(self)
+        c.setModel(self.dummy_model)
 
     def update_items_cache(self, complete_items):
         self.lineEdit().update_items_cache(complete_items)