diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
index 8b57b4b455..559ea4a6f7 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
@@ -164,12 +164,15 @@ class EditMetadataAction(InterfaceAction):
         self.gui.tags_view.blockSignals(True)
         changed = False
         try:
+            current_tab = 0
             while True:
-                dialog = MetadataBulkDialog(self.gui, rows, self.gui.library_view.model())
+                dialog = MetadataBulkDialog(self.gui, rows,
+                                self.gui.library_view.model(), current_tab)
                 if dialog.changed:
                     changed = True
                 if not dialog.do_again:
                     break
+                current_tab = dialog.central_widget.currentIndex()
         finally:
             self.gui.tags_view.blockSignals(False)
         if changed:
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/metadata_bulk.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/metadata_bulk.py
index 4fd34e4c4c..e30e0e16e1 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/metadata_bulk.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/metadata_bulk.py
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class MetadataBulkDialog(QDialog, Ui_MetadataBulkDialog):
                             _('Append to field'),
                         ]
 
-    def __init__(self, window, rows, model):
+    def __init__(self, window, rows, model, tab):
         QDialog.__init__(self, window)
         Ui_MetadataBulkDialog.__init__(self)
         self.setupUi(self)
@@ -238,6 +238,7 @@ class MetadataBulkDialog(QDialog, Ui_MetadataBulkDialog):
             'Immediately make all changes without closing the dialog. '
             'This operation cannot be canceled or undone'))
         self.do_again = False
+        self.central_widget.setCurrentIndex(tab)
         self.exec_()
 
     def button_clicked(self, which):