diff --git a/anki/utils.py b/anki/utils.py
index b01fc1b90..2dcb8f4aa 100644
--- a/anki/utils.py
+++ b/anki/utils.py
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ def fmtTimeSpan(time, pad=0, point=0, short=False, inTime=False, unit=99):
             fmt = inTimeTable[type](_pluralCount(time, point))
         else:
             fmt = timeTable[type](_pluralCount(time, point))
-    timestr = "%(a)d.%(b)df" % {'a': pad, 'b': point}
-    return locale.format_string("%" + (fmt % timestr), time)
+    timestr = "%%%(a)d.%(b)df" % {'a': pad, 'b': point}
+    return locale.format_string(fmt % timestr, time)
 
 def optimalPeriod(time, point, unit):
     if abs(time) < 60 or unit < 1:
diff --git a/tests/test_utils.py b/tests/test_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..96d787a83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# coding: utf-8
+
+from anki.utils import fmtTimeSpan
+
+def test_fmtTimeSpan():
+    assert fmtTimeSpan(5) == "5 seconds"
+    assert fmtTimeSpan(5, inTime=True) == "in 5 seconds"