diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/xmp.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/xmp.py
index ab212e538a..3520cc9d54 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/xmp.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/xmp.py
@@ -221,11 +221,11 @@ def metadata_from_xmp_packet(raw_bytes):
     root = parse_xmp_packet(raw_bytes)
     mi = Metadata(_('Unknown'))
     title = first_alt('//dc:title', root)
-    if title.startswith(r'\376\377'):
-        # corrupted XMP packet generated by Nitro PDF. See
-        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/1541981
-        raise ValueError('Corrupted XMP metadata packet detected, probably generated by Nitro PDF')
     if title:
+        if title.startswith(r'\376\377'):
+            # corrupted XMP packet generated by Nitro PDF. See
+            # https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/1541981
+            raise ValueError('Corrupted XMP metadata packet detected, probably generated by Nitro PDF')
         mi.title = title
     authors = multiple_sequences('//dc:creator', root)
     if authors: