diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/show_template_tester.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/show_template_tester.py
index 85cdc25403..e55bd3aef6 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/show_template_tester.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/show_template_tester.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ShowTemplateTesterAction(InterfaceAction):
     action_type = 'current'
 
     def genesis(self):
+        self.previous_text = _('Enter a template to test using data from the selected book')
+        self.first_time = True
         self.qaction.triggered.connect(self.show_template_editor)
 
     def show_template_editor(self, *args):
@@ -38,8 +40,10 @@ class ShowTemplateTesterAction(InterfaceAction):
         index = rows[0]
         if index.isValid():
             db = view.model().db
-            t = TemplateDialog(self.gui,
-                   _('Enter a template to test using data from the selected book'),
-                   mi=db.get_metadata(index.row(), index_is_id=False, get_cover=False))
+            t = TemplateDialog(self.gui, self.previous_text,
+                   mi=db.get_metadata(index.row(), index_is_id=False, get_cover=False),
+                   text_is_placeholder=self.first_time)
             t.setWindowTitle(_('Template tester'))
-            t.exec_()
\ No newline at end of file
+            if t.exec_() == t.Accepted:
+                self.previous_text = t.rule[1]
+                self.first_time = False
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
index ddf744382b..59d29c0b16 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/template_dialog.py
@@ -202,7 +202,8 @@ class TemplateHighlighter(QSyntaxHighlighter):
 class TemplateDialog(QDialog, Ui_TemplateDialog):
 
     def __init__(self, parent, text, mi=None, fm=None, color_field=None,
-                 icon_field_key=None, icon_rule_kind=None, doing_emblem=False):
+                 icon_field_key=None, icon_rule_kind=None, doing_emblem=False,
+                 text_is_placeholder=False):
         QDialog.__init__(self, parent)
         Ui_TemplateDialog.__init__(self)
         self.setupUi(self)
@@ -299,7 +300,10 @@ class TemplateDialog(QDialog, Ui_TemplateDialog):
         self.source_code.setReadOnly(True)
 
         if text is not None:
-            self.textbox.setPlainText(text)
+            if text_is_placeholder:
+                self.textbox.setPlaceholderText(text)
+            else:
+                self.textbox.setPlainText(text)
         self.buttonBox.button(QDialogButtonBox.Ok).setText(_('&OK'))
         self.buttonBox.button(QDialogButtonBox.Cancel).setText(_('&Cancel'))
         self.color_copy_button.clicked.connect(self.color_to_clipboard)