diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
index fa7ba3c56d..8641f9e712 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
@@ -795,6 +795,7 @@ class BulkEnumeration(BulkBase, Enumeration):
         return value
 
     def setup_ui(self, parent):
+        self.parent = parent
         self.make_widgets(parent, QComboBox)
         vals = self.col_metadata['display']['enum_values']
         self.main_widget.blockSignals(True)