diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index 1335846de3..68e1d58a66 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -634,9 +634,6 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin,  # {{{
             olddb = self.library_view.model().db
             if copy_structure:
                 default_prefs = olddb.prefs
-
-            from calibre.utils.formatter_functions import unload_user_template_functions
-            unload_user_template_functions(olddb.library_id)
         except:
             olddb = None
         try:
@@ -688,6 +685,8 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, EmailMixin,  # {{{
             try:
                 if call_close:
                     olddb.close()
+                from calibre.utils.formatter_functions import unload_user_template_functions
+                unload_user_template_functions(olddb.library_id)
             except:
                 import traceback
                 traceback.print_exc()