diff --git a/src/calibre/ai/ollama/backend.py b/src/calibre/ai/ollama/backend.py
index 13659f638a..bdb5cd9c51 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ai/ollama/backend.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ai/ollama/backend.py
@@ -76,7 +76,10 @@ def get_available_models() -> dict[str, Model]:
 
 
 def does_model_exist_locally(model_id: str) -> bool:
-    return model_id in get_available_models()
+    try:
+        return model_id in get_available_models()
+    except Exception:
+        return False
 
 
 def config_widget():
diff --git a/src/calibre/ai/ollama/config.py b/src/calibre/ai/ollama/config.py
index 423987c7c5..293ff91624 100644
--- a/src/calibre/ai/ollama/config.py
+++ b/src/calibre/ai/ollama/config.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class ConfigWidget(QWidget):
         self.timeout_sb = t = QSpinBox(self)
         t.setRange(15, 600), t.setSingleStep(1), t.setSuffix(_(' seconds'))
         t.setValue(pref('timeout', 120))
+        l.addRow(_('&Timeout:'), t)
 
         lm.setClearButtonEnabled(True)
         lm.setToolTip(_(