diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/create_custom_column.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/create_custom_column.py
index c354e1cc99..b089844127 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/create_custom_column.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/create_custom_column.py
@@ -84,10 +84,15 @@ class CreateCustomColumn(QDialog, Ui_QCreateCustomColumn):
         for t in self.column_types:
             self.column_type_box.addItem(self.column_types[t]['text'])
         self.column_type_box.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.datatype_changed)
+
+        all_colors = [unicode(s) for s in list(QColor.colorNames())]
+        self.enum_colors_label.setToolTip('<p>' + ', '.join(all_colors) + '</p>')
+
         if not self.editing_col:
             self.datatype_changed()
             self.exec_()
             return
+
         self.setWindowTitle(_('Edit a custom column'))
         self.heading_label.setText(_('Edit a custom column'))
         self.shortcuts.setVisible(False)
@@ -141,9 +146,6 @@ class CreateCustomColumn(QDialog, Ui_QCreateCustomColumn):
         elif ct == '*text':
             self.is_names.setChecked(c['display'].get('is_names', False))
 
-        all_colors = [unicode(s) for s in list(QColor.colorNames())]
-        self.enum_colors_label.setToolTip('<p>' + ', '.join(all_colors) + '</p>')
-
         self.composite_contains_html.setToolTip('<p>' +
                 _('If checked, this column will be displayed as HTML in '
                   'book details and the content server. This can be used to '