diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
index 2315cfce..87651fbe 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ class CreateBook(View):
 
         # go to confirm mode
         if not parent_work_id or data.get("add_author"):
+            data["confirm_mode"] = True
             return TemplateResponse(request, "book/edit/edit_book.html", data)
 
         with transaction.atomic():