diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
index 8f01c6df1e..7e30f02420 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/metadata/single_download.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from calibre.ebooks.metadata.book.base import Metadata
 from calibre.gui2 import error_dialog, NONE
 from calibre.utils.date import utcnow, fromordinal, format_date
 from calibre.library.comments import comments_to_html
+from calibre.constants import islinux
 from calibre import force_unicode
 # }}}
 
@@ -116,6 +117,12 @@ class CoverDelegate(QStyledItemDelegate): # {{{
 
     def paint(self, painter, option, index):
         QStyledItemDelegate.paint(self, painter, option, index)
+        if islinux:
+            # On linux for some reason the selected color is drawn on top of
+            # the decoration
+            style = QApplication.style()
+            style.drawItemPixmap(painter, option.rect, Qt.AlignTop|Qt.AlignHCenter,
+                QPixmap(index.data(Qt.DecorationRole)))
         if self.timer.isActive() and index.data(Qt.UserRole).toBool():
             rect = QRect(0, 0, self.spinner_width, self.spinner_width)
             rect.moveCenter(option.rect.center())
@@ -945,7 +952,7 @@ class CoverFetch(QDialog): # {{{
 # }}}
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    #DEBUG_DIALOG = True
+    DEBUG_DIALOG = True
     app = QApplication([])
     d = FullFetch()
     d.start(title='great gatsby', authors=['fitzgerald'])