diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/css.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/css.py
index de70107470..ddaae069db 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/css.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/css.py
@@ -67,8 +67,10 @@ class Smarts(NullSmarts):
         if key == Qt.Key.Key_Home and smart_home(editor, ev):
             return True
 
-        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab and smart_tab(editor, ev):
-            return True
+        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab:
+            mods = ev.modifiers()
+            if not mods & Qt.KeyboardModifier.ControlModifier and smart_tab(editor, ev):
+                return True
 
         if key == Qt.Key.Key_Backspace and smart_backspace(editor, ev):
             return True
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/html.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/html.py
index 8273129ef4..3def640b09 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/html.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/html.py
@@ -723,8 +723,10 @@ class Smarts(NullSmarts):
         if key == Qt.Key.Key_Home and smart_home(editor, ev):
             return True
 
-        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab and smart_tab(editor, ev):
-            return True
+        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab:
+            mods = ev.modifiers()
+            if not mods & Qt.KeyboardModifier.ControlModifier and smart_tab(editor, ev):
+                return True
 
         if key == Qt.Key.Key_Backspace and smart_backspace(editor, ev):
             return True
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/python.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/python.py
index cecb4c7703..dd2de15cb7 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/python.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/smarts/python.py
@@ -36,8 +36,10 @@ class Smarts(NullSmarts):
     def handle_key_press(self, ev, editor):
         key = ev.key()
 
-        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab and smart_tab(editor, ev):
-            return True
+        if key == Qt.Key.Key_Tab:
+            mods = ev.modifiers()
+            if not mods & Qt.KeyboardModifier.ControlModifier and smart_tab(editor, ev):
+                return True
 
         elif key == Qt.Key.Key_Backspace and smart_backspace(editor, ev):
             return True