diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
index c8ea46f6eb..3bd0a25883 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ class EbookViewer(MainWindow):
                 error_dialog(self, _('Loading book failed'), _(
                     'Failed to open the book at {0}. Click "Show details" for more info.').format(data['pathtoebook']),
                     det_msg=data['tb'], show=True)
+            self.loading_overlay.hide()
             self.web_view.show_home_page()
             return
         set_book_path(data['base'], data['pathtoebook'])