diff --git a/src/pyj/book_list/edit_metadata.pyj b/src/pyj/book_list/edit_metadata.pyj
index 9541819045..a1e182bf6c 100644
--- a/src/pyj/book_list/edit_metadata.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/book_list/edit_metadata.pyj
@@ -852,7 +852,9 @@ def render_metadata(mi, table, container_id, book_id):  # {{{
             table.appendChild(E.tr(onclick=current_edit_action, E.td(name), E.td()))
             td = table.lastChild.lastChild
             for k in val:
-                lang = mi.lang_names[k] or k
+                lang = k
+                if mi.lang_names and mi.lang_names[k]:
+                    lang = mi.lang_names[k]
                 td.appendChild(document.createTextNode(lang))
                 if k is not val[-1]:
                     td.appendChild(document.createTextNode(', '))