diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/syntax/base.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/syntax/base.py
index 9b404c7ea2..0ba4881935 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/syntax/base.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/syntax/base.py
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ class SyntaxHighlighter(QSyntaxHighlighter):
     def highlightBlock(self, text):
         try:
             state = self.previousBlockState()
+            self.setCurrentBlockUserData(None)  # Ensure that any stale user data is discarded
             if state == -1:
                 state = 0
             state = self.state_class(state)