diff --git a/src/calibre/library/comments.py b/src/calibre/library/comments.py
index e78b815857..5d6c43f343 100644
--- a/src/calibre/library/comments.py
+++ b/src/calibre/library/comments.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def comments_to_html(comments):
     if not isinstance(comments, unicode):
         comments = comments.decode(preferred_encoding, 'replace')
 
-    if comments.startswith('<'):
+    if comments.lstrip().startswith('<'):
         # Comment is already HTML do not mess with it
         return comments