diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/opf2.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/opf2.py
index 523e927d37..362ce0acc3 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/opf2.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/metadata/opf2.py
@@ -707,6 +707,7 @@ class OPF:  # {{{
 
         ans.set_identifiers(self.get_identifiers())
         ans.link_maps = self.link_maps
+        ans.cover = self.cover  # needed because we nuke the guide while creating ans
 
         return ans