diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
index a395ecf6b9..ef95b03fc2 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
@@ -219,7 +219,13 @@ class TemplateDialog(QDialog, Ui_TemplateDialog):
         if mi:
             self.mi = mi
         else:
-            self.mi = Metadata(None, None)
+            self.mi = Metadata(_('Title'), [_('Author')])
+            self.mi.author_sort = _('Author Sort')
+            self.mi.series = _('Series')
+            self.mi.series_index = 3
+            self.mi.rating = 4.0
+            self.mi.tags = [_('Tag 1'), _('Tag 2')]
+            self.mi.language = ['eng']
 
         # Remove help icon on title bar
         icon = self.windowIcon()