diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
index 2912d4a819..840753c706 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single.py
@@ -169,7 +169,10 @@ class MetadataSingleDialogBase(ResizableDialog):
         self.basic_metadata_widgets.extend([self.series, self.series_index])
 
         self.formats_manager = FormatsManager(self, self.copy_fmt)
-        self.basic_metadata_widgets.append(self.formats_manager)
+        # We want formats changes to be committed before title/author, as
+        # otherwise we could have data loss if the title/author changed and the
+        # user was trying to add an extra file from the old books directory.
+        self.basic_metadata_widgets.insert(0, self.formats_manager)
         self.formats_manager.metadata_from_format_button.clicked.connect(
                 self.metadata_from_format)
         self.formats_manager.cover_from_format_button.clicked.connect(