diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
index b527947747..67b448e7a6 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ import os
 import sys
 import time
 from qt.core import (
-    QAction, QApplication, QDialog, QFont, QImage, QItemSelectionModel,
-    QKeySequence, QLabel, QSize, QSizePolicy, QStackedLayout, Qt, QTimer, pyqtSignal
+    QAction, QApplication, QDialog, QFont, QImage, QItemSelectionModel, QKeySequence,
+    QLabel, QPainter, QPalette, QSize, QSizePolicy, QStackedLayout, Qt, QTimer,
+    pyqtSignal,
 )
 
 from calibre.constants import islinux
-from calibre.ebooks.metadata import rating_to_stars, authors_to_string
+from calibre.ebooks.metadata import authors_to_string, rating_to_stars
 from calibre.gui2 import config, gprefs, rating_font
 from calibre_extensions import pictureflow
 
@@ -186,10 +187,32 @@ class CoverFlow(pictureflow.PictureFlow):
 
     dc_signal = pyqtSignal()
     context_menu_requested = pyqtSignal()
+    _ignore_paint_events = False
+
+    @property
+    def ignore_paint_events(self):
+        return self._ignore_paint_events
+
+    @ignore_paint_events.setter
+    def ignore_paint_events(self, val):
+        if val != self._ignore_paint_events:
+            self._ignore_paint_events = val
+            if not val:
+                self.update()
+
+    def paintEvent(self, ev):
+        if self.ignore_paint_events and time.monotonic() - self.created_at < 1:
+            # Paint blank during startup to avoid flashing
+            p = QPainter(self)
+            p.fillRect(self.rect(), self.palette().color(QPalette.ColorRole.Window))
+            p.end()
+        else:
+            super().paintEvent(ev)
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         pictureflow.PictureFlow.__init__(self, parent,
                             config['cover_flow_queue_length']+1)
+        self.created_at = time.monotonic()
         self.setMinimumSize(QSize(300, 150))
         self.setFocusPolicy(Qt.FocusPolicy.WheelFocus)
         self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding,
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/widgets.py
index 033431388a..9cbac3049a 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/widgets.py
@@ -1246,6 +1246,11 @@ class Splitter(QSplitter):
             # when the event loop ticks
             self.reapply_sizes.emit(sizes)
 
+    def ignore_child_paints(self, ignore=True):
+        for widget in self:
+            if hasattr(widget, 'ignore_paint_events'):
+                widget.ignore_paint_events = ignore
+
     def do_resize(self, *args):
         orig = self.desired_side_size
         super().resizeEvent(self._resize_ev)
@@ -1254,10 +1259,14 @@ class Splitter(QSplitter):
             while abs(self.side_index_size - orig) > 10 and c < 5:
                 self.apply_state(self.get_state(), save_desired=False)
                 c += 1
+        self.ignore_child_paints(False)
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        for i in range(self.count()):
+            yield self.widget(i)
 
     def resizeEvent(self, ev):
-        if self.resize_timer.isActive():
-            self.resize_timer.stop()
+        self.ignore_child_paints()
         self._resize_ev = ev
         self.resize_timer.start()