diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/widget.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/widget.py
index 4f736ee260..84d5fd8d14 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/widget.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/editor/widget.py
@@ -396,6 +396,10 @@ class Editor(QMainWindow):
         a = m.addAction
         c = self.editor.cursorForPosition(pos)
         r = self.editor.syntax_range_for_cursor(c)
+        if (r is None or not r.format.property(SPELL_PROPERTY).toBool()) and c.positionInBlock() > 0:
+            c.setPosition(c.position() - 1)
+            r = self.editor.syntax_range_for_cursor(c)
+
         if r is not None and r.format.property(SPELL_PROPERTY).toBool():
             word = self.editor.text_for_range(c.block(), r)
             locale = self.editor.spellcheck_locale_for_cursor(c)