diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/open_with.py b/src/calibre/gui2/open_with.py
index 3096ce9c37..91689bf76b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/open_with.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/open_with.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ if iswindows:
             data = None
             import traceback
             traceback.print_exc()
-        if data:
+        if isinstance(data, (bytes, bytearray)) or data is None:
             entry['icon_data'] = data
         return entry