diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/search.py
index d475efa445..5ddc0ce8f2 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/search.py
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ class SearchPanel(QWidget):  # {{{
         return ans
 
     def set_where(self, val):
-        if val == 'selected-text':
+        if val == 'selected-text' and self.widget.where != 'selected-text':
             self.where_before_marked = self.widget.where
         self.widget.where = val