diff --git a/src/calibre/srv/content.py b/src/calibre/srv/content.py
index 842d161573..e816807e22 100644
--- a/src/calibre/srv/content.py
+++ b/src/calibre/srv/content.py
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ def create_file_copy(ctx, rd, prefix, library_id, book_id, ext, mtime, copy_func
     def safe_mtime():
         with suppress(OSError):
             return os.path.getmtime(fname)
-        return 0
 
     with lock:
         previous_mtime = safe_mtime()