diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index 7fad12dc1f..828a372853 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -971,8 +971,10 @@ class BooksView(QTableView):  # {{{
         rmap = {i:x for i, x in enumerate(self.column_map)}
         return (rmap[h.visualIndex(x)] for x in logical_indices if h.visualIndex(x) > -1)
 
-    def refresh_book_details(self):
+    def refresh_book_details(self, force=False):
         idx = self.currentIndex()
+        if not idx.isValid() and force:
+            idx = self.model().index(0, 0)
         if idx.isValid():
             self._model.current_changed(idx, idx)
             return True
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
index 9fef7f94d0..0f22ee8064 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.py
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
         self.update_font_display()
         gui.tags_view.set_look_and_feel()
         gui.tags_view.reread_collapse_parameters()
-        gui.library_view.refresh_book_details()
+        gui.library_view.refresh_book_details(force=True)
         gui.library_view.refresh_grid()
         gui.library_view.set_row_header_visibility()
         gui.cover_flow.setShowReflections(gprefs['cover_browser_reflections'])