diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
index 2bd39ff0ac..cd62d38a3c 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/alternate_views.py
@@ -570,9 +570,9 @@ class GridView(QListView):
                 q.task_done()
 
     def render_cover(self, book_id):
-        cdata = self.model().db.new_api.cover(book_id)
         if self.ignore_render_requests.is_set():
             return
+        cdata = self.model().db.new_api.cover(book_id)
         if cdata is not None:
             p = QImage()
             p.loadFromData(cdata)