diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/preview.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/preview.py
index 397cfcdd59..6d8a8d1aa7 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/preview.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/preview.py
@@ -320,9 +320,17 @@ class Inspector(QWidget):
         self.view = None
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
         self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.connection_attempts = 1
         QTimer.singleShot(0, self.connect_to_dock)
 
     def connect_to_dock(self):
+        if 'inspector-dock' not in actions:
+            self.connection_attempts += 1
+            if self.connection_attempts < 10:
+                QTimer.singleShot(10, self.connect_to_dock)
+            else:
+                print('Failed to connect to inspector dock')
+            return
         ac = actions['inspector-dock']
         ac.toggled.connect(self.visibility_changed)
         if ac.isChecked():