diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/styles.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/styles.py
index 142cb9e89d..03bbc1d7d3 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/styles.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/docx/styles.py
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ class Styles(object):
             if ts is not None:
                 parent_styles.append(ts)
             if direct_formatting.linked_style is not None:
-                ls = self.get(direct_formatting.linked_style).character_style
+                ls = getattr(self.get(direct_formatting.linked_style), 'character_style', None)
                 if ls is not None:
                     parent_styles.append(ls)
             elif default_char is not None and default_char.character_style is not None: