diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
index 4dcf190bcf..0c8bcd696e 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ class DatabaseImages(pictureflow.FlowImages):
     def init_template(self, db):
         self.template_cache = {}
         self.template_error_reported = False
-        self.template = db.pref('cover_browser_title_template', '{title}')
+        self.template = db.pref('cover_browser_title_template', '{title}') or ''
         self.template_is_title = self.template == '{title}'
         self.template_is_empty = not self.template.strip()
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
index 6e7867e60d..6a3df6ce04 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/look_feel.ui
@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ using the mouse.&lt;/p&gt;</string>
        <item row="7" column="1">
         <widget class="QLineEdit" name="opt_cover_browser_title_template">
          <property name="toolTip">
-          <string>The template used to generate the text below the covers. Uses the same syntax as save templates. Defaults to just the book title. Note that this setting is per-library, which means that you have to set it again for every different calibre library you use.</string>
+          <string>The template used to generate the text below the covers. Uses the same syntax as save templates. Defaults to just the book title. Note that this setting is per-library, which means that you have to set it again for every different calibre library you use. Use an empty template for no text.</string>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>