diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/comments_editor.py b/src/calibre/gui2/comments_editor.py
index 3ef60abd7a..6931d7a711 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/comments_editor.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/comments_editor.py
@@ -385,6 +385,9 @@ class EditorWidget(QWebView):  # {{{
     def event(self, ev):
         if ev.type() in (ev.KeyPress, ev.KeyRelease, ev.ShortcutOverride) and ev.key() in (
                 Qt.Key_Tab, Qt.Key_Escape, Qt.Key_Backtab):
+            if (ev.key() == Qt.Key_Tab and ev.modifiers() & Qt.ControlModifier and ev.type() == ev.KeyPress):
+                self.exec_command('insertHTML', '<span style="white-space:pre">\t</span>')
+                return True
             ev.ignore()
             return False
         return QWebView.event(self, ev)