diff --git a/src/calibre/library/save_to_disk.py b/src/calibre/library/save_to_disk.py
index fef2ff2f62..555ecac27c 100644
--- a/src/calibre/library/save_to_disk.py
+++ b/src/calibre/library/save_to_disk.py
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def do_save_book_to_disk(db, book_id, mi, plugboards,
                 raise
 
         cdata = None
-        if opts.save_cover or formats:
+        if opts.save_cover:
             cdata = db.cover(book_id)
             if cdata:
                 cpath = base_path + '.jpg'