diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/polish.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/polish.py
index d5594e3901..65e98596a8 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/polish.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/polish.py
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ class Polish(QDialog):  # {{{
             self.pd.reject()
             raise
         else:
-            self.pd.set_value(num)
+            self.pd.set_value(self.pd.max - num)
             QTimer.singleShot(0, self.do_one)
 
     def do_book(self, num, book_id, formats):