diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/delegates.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/delegates.py
index d025d67b21..416ba3d2ab 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/delegates.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/delegates.py
@@ -317,7 +317,8 @@ class TextDelegate(QStyledItemDelegate, UpdateEditorGeometry):  # {{{
         return editor
 
     def setEditorData(self, editor, index):
-        editor.setText(get_val_for_textlike_columns(index))
+        n = editor.metaObject().userProperty().name()
+        editor.setProperty(n, get_val_for_textlike_columns(index))
 
     def setModelData(self, editor, model, index):
         if isinstance(editor, EditWithComplete):