diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/convert/txt_output.py b/src/calibre/gui2/convert/txt_output.py
index dd36dc8cfc..b3a79e1326 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/convert/txt_output.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/convert/txt_output.py
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ class PluginWidget(Widget, Ui_Form):
         self.opt_newline.setModel(self.newline_model)
 
         default_index = self.opt_newline.findText(default)
-        self.opt_newline.setCurrentIndex(default_index if default_index != -1 else 0)
-
+        system_index = self.opt_newline.findText('system')
+        self.opt_newline.setCurrentIndex(default_index if default_index != -1 else system_index if system_index != -1 else 0)