diff --git a/securedrop_client/gui/__init__.py b/securedrop_client/gui/__init__.py
index 86bbd0e9f..10d13f67e 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/gui/__init__.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/gui/__init__.py
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ def __init__(
         flags: Union[Qt.WindowFlags, Qt.WindowType] = Qt.WindowFlags(),
     ):
         super().__init__(parent, flags)
+        self.setTextFormat(Qt.PlainText)
         self.setText(text)
 
     def setText(self, text: str) -> None: