diff --git a/hidden_field.module b/hidden_field.module
index c8d59f6..3a2eb17 100644
--- a/hidden_field.module
+++ b/hidden_field.module
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ function hidden_field_field_widget_form(&$form, &$form_state, $field, $instance,
     // Try to make sure the #value is not NULL so the user can't tamper a #type
     // value.
     $value = '';
-    if (isset($items[$delta]['value'])) {
+    if (isset($items[$delta]['value']) && $column != 'format') {
       $value = $items[$delta]['value'];
     }
     elseif (isset($items[$delta][$column])) {