diff --git a/src/calibre/db/cli/cmd_fts_index.py b/src/calibre/db/cli/cmd_fts_index.py
index f0f85d9311..f479325f6d 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/cli/cmd_fts_index.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/cli/cmd_fts_index.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def show_progress(left, total, rate):
     from calibre.db.utils import IndexingProgress
     ip = IndexingProgress()
     ip.update(left, total, rate)
-    print('\r\x1b[K' + _('{} of {} book files indexed, {}').format(total-left, total, ip.time_left), flush=True, end=' ...')
+    print('\r\x1b[K' + _('{0} of {1} book files indexed, {2}').format(total-left, total, ip.time_left), flush=True, end=' ...')
 
 
 def remote_wait_for_completion(dbctx, indexing_speed):