diff --git a/src/calibre/ebooks/mobi/writer2/resources.py b/src/calibre/ebooks/mobi/writer2/resources.py
index 710c510374..f75ba43aa4 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ebooks/mobi/writer2/resources.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ebooks/mobi/writer2/resources.py
@@ -27,9 +27,11 @@ def process_jpegs_for_amazon(data: bytes) -> bytes:
         # Amazon's MOBI renderer can't render JPEG images without JFIF metadata
         # and images with EXIF data dont get displayed on the cover screen
         changed = not img.info
-        if hasattr(img, '_getexif') and img._getexif():
-            changed = True
-            img = ImageOps.exif_transpose(img)
+        if hasattr(img, 'getexif'):
+            exif = img.getexif()
+            if exif.get(0x0112) in (2,3,4,5,6,7,8):
+                changed = True
+                img = ImageOps.exif_transpose(img)
         if changed:
             out = BytesIO()
             img.save(out, 'JPEG')