diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
index cbf7e3ab7e..33404e155e 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/edit_metadata.py
@@ -269,6 +269,7 @@ class EditMetadataAction(InterfaceAction):
                 id_map = {}
 
         restrict_to_failed = restrict_to_failed or bool(args and args[0])
+        restrict_to_failed = restrict_to_failed and bool(failed_ids)
         if restrict_to_failed:
             db.data.set_marked_ids(failed_ids)