diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
index 5e55bf8b41..78cfac689d 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/models.py
@@ -1038,7 +1038,9 @@ class BooksModel(QAbstractTableModel):  # {{{
                 if fm['is_custom']:
                     cust_desc = fm['display'].get('description', '')
                     if cust_desc:
-                        cust_desc = '<br><b>{}</b>'.format(_('Description:')) + ' ' + prepare_string_for_xml(cust_desc)
+                        cust_desc = ('<br><b>{}</b>'.format(_('Description:')) +
+                                     '<span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> ' +
+                                     prepare_string_for_xml(cust_desc) + '</span>')
                 return '<b>{}</b>: {}'.format(
                     prepare_string_for_xml(title),
                     _('The lookup/search name is <i>{0}</i>').format(ht) + cust_desc + is_cat