diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index 051f871e73..57ea04fb75 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -490,28 +490,39 @@ class BooksView(QTableView): # {{{
         drag.setMimeData(md)
         cover = self.drag_icon(m.cover(self.currentIndex().row()),
                 len(selected) > 1)
-        drag.setHotSpot(QPoint(cover.width()//3, cover.height()//3))
+        drag.setHotSpot(QPoint(-15, -15))
         drag.setPixmap(cover)
         return drag
 
+    def event_has_mods(self, event=None):
+        mods = event.modifiers() if event is not None else \
+                QApplication.keyboardModifiers()
+        return mods & Qt.ControlModifier or mods & Qt.ShiftModifier
+
     def mousePressEvent(self, event):
-        if event.button() == Qt.LeftButton:
+        if event.button() == Qt.LeftButton and not self.event_has_mods():
             self.drag_start_pos = event.pos()
         return QTableView.mousePressEvent(self, event)
 
     def mouseMoveEvent(self, event):
+        if self.drag_start_pos is None:
+            return QTableView.mouseMoveEvent(self, event)
+
+        if self.event_has_mods():
+            self.drag_start_pos = None
+            return
+
         if not (event.buttons() & Qt.LeftButton) or \
-                self.drag_start_pos is None or \
-                QApplication.keyboardModifiers() != Qt.NoModifier or \
                 (event.pos() - self.drag_start_pos).manhattanLength() \
                       < QApplication.startDragDistance():
-            return QTableView.mouseMoveEvent(self, event)
+            return
 
         index = self.indexAt(event.pos())
         if not index.isValid():
             return
         drag = self.drag_data()
         drag.exec_(Qt.CopyAction)
+        self.drag_start_pos = None
 
     def dragEnterEvent(self, event):
         if int(event.possibleActions() & Qt.CopyAction) + \
@@ -645,7 +656,7 @@ class DeviceBooksView(BooksView): # {{{
         drag.setMimeData(md)
         cover = self.drag_icon(m.cover(self.currentIndex().row()), len(paths) >
                 1)
-        drag.setHotSpot(QPoint(cover.width()//3, cover.height()//3))
+        drag.setHotSpot(QPoint(-15, -15))
         drag.setPixmap(cover)
         return drag
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_view.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_view.py
index 442b909a8a..0824dedae6 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tag_view.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tag_view.py
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ class TagsView(QTreeView): # {{{
         self.setItemDelegate(TagDelegate(self))
         self.made_connections = False
         self.setAcceptDrops(True)
+        self.setDragDropMode(self.DropOnly)
         self.setDropIndicatorShown(True)
 
     def set_database(self, db, tag_match, sort_by):