diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/basic_widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/basic_widgets.py
index cb4bb599f3..4be82d1f38 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/basic_widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/basic_widgets.py
@@ -773,7 +773,7 @@ class BuddyLabel(QLabel):  # {{{
     def __init__(self, buddy):
         sval = tweaks['alternate_column_names'].get(getattr(buddy, 'FIELD_NAME', None))
         if sval:
-            sval = '&' + sval
+            sval = '&' + sval.replace('&', '&&')
         QLabel.__init__(self, sval or buddy.LABEL)
         self.setBuddy(buddy)
         self.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight|Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)