diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/toc.py b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/toc.py
index dcebcc6ec5..1a8e91f02b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/toc.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/tweak_book/toc.py
@@ -147,7 +147,12 @@ class TOCViewer(QWidget):
 
     def auto_refresh(self):
         if self.isVisible():
-            self.refresh()
+            try:
+                self.refresh()
+            except Exception:
+                # ignore errors during live refresh of the toc
+                import traceback
+                traceback.print_exc()
 
     def refresh(self):
         self.refresh_requested.emit()  # Give boss a chance to commit dirty editors to the container