diff --git a/src/calibre/utils/img.py b/src/calibre/utils/img.py
index ef2e224aec..e18fc0529b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/utils/img.py
+++ b/src/calibre/utils/img.py
@@ -140,6 +140,18 @@ def save_cover_data_to(data, path=None, bgcolor='#ffffff', resize_to=None, compr
     with lopen(path, 'wb') as f:
         f.write(image_to_data(img, compression_quality, fmt))
 
+def blend_on_canvas(img, width, height, bgcolor='#ffffff'):
+    w, h = img.width(), img.height()
+    scaled, nw, nh = fit_image(w, h, width, height)
+    if scaled:
+        img = img.scaled(nw, nh, Qt.IgnoreAspectRatio, Qt.SmoothTransformation)
+        w, h = nw, nh
+    nimg = QImage(width, height, QImage.Format_RGB32)
+    nimg.fill(QColor(bgcolor))
+    p = QPainter(nimg)
+    p.drawImage((width - w)//2, (height - h)//2, img)
+    p.end()
+    return nimg
 
 def run_optimizer(file_path, cmd, as_filter=False, input_data=None):
     file_path = os.path.abspath(file_path)
diff --git a/src/calibre/web/feeds/news.py b/src/calibre/web/feeds/news.py
index 7141ed3b92..37819a4634 100644
--- a/src/calibre/web/feeds/news.py
+++ b/src/calibre/web/feeds/news.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from calibre.ebooks.metadata.toc import TOC
 from calibre.ebooks.metadata import MetaInformation
 from calibre.web.feeds import feed_from_xml, templates, feeds_from_index, Feed
 from calibre.web.fetch.simple import option_parser as web2disk_option_parser, RecursiveFetcher, AbortArticle
+from calibre.web.fetch.utils import prepare_masthead_image
 from calibre.utils.threadpool import WorkRequest, ThreadPool, NoResultsPending
 from calibre.ptempfile import PersistentTemporaryFile
 from calibre.utils.date import now as nowf
@@ -1374,22 +1375,7 @@ class BasicNewsRecipe(Recipe):
                 width=self.MI_WIDTH, height=self.MI_HEIGHT)
 
     def prepare_masthead_image(self, path_to_image, out_path):
-        from calibre import fit_image
-        from calibre.utils.magick import Image, create_canvas
-
-        img = Image()
-        img.open(path_to_image)
-        width, height = img.size
-        scaled, nwidth, nheight = fit_image(width, height, self.MI_WIDTH, self.MI_HEIGHT)
-        img2 = create_canvas(width, height)
-        frame = create_canvas(self.MI_WIDTH, self.MI_HEIGHT)
-        img2.compose(img)
-        if scaled:
-            img2.size = (nwidth, nheight, 'LanczosFilter', 0.5)
-        left = int((self.MI_WIDTH - nwidth)/2.0)
-        top = int((self.MI_HEIGHT - nheight)/2.0)
-        frame.compose(img2, left, top)
-        frame.save(out_path)
+        prepare_masthead_image(path_to_image, out_path, self.MI_WIDTH, self.MI_HEIGHT)
 
     def create_opf(self, feeds, dir=None):
         if dir is None:
diff --git a/src/calibre/web/fetch/utils.py b/src/calibre/web/fetch/utils.py
index 1f5de5e90c..5563049568 100644
--- a/src/calibre/web/fetch/utils.py
+++ b/src/calibre/web/fetch/utils.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import (unicode_literals, division, absolute_import,
                         print_function)
-from calibre.utils.img import image_from_data, scale_image, image_to_data
+from calibre.utils.img import image_from_data, scale_image, image_to_data, blend_on_canvas
 
 def rescale_image(data, scale_news_images, compress_news_images_max_size, compress_news_images_auto_size):
     orig_data = data  # save it in case compression fails
@@ -38,6 +38,13 @@ def rescale_image(data, scale_news_images, compress_news_images_max_size, compre
 
     return data
 
+def prepare_masthead_image(path_to_image, out_path, mi_width, mi_height):
+    with lopen(path_to_image, 'rb') as f:
+        img = image_from_data(f.read())
+    img = blend_on_canvas(img, mi_width, mi_height)
+    with lopen(out_path, 'wb') as f:
+        f.write(image_to_data(img))
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     import sys
     data = sys.stdin.read()