diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
index dd4763782a..bcbb3d7fbe 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/cover_flow.py
@@ -69,9 +69,10 @@ if pictureflow is not None:
                 ans = self.model.title(index)
                 if not ans:
                     ans = ''
+                ans = ans.replace('&', '&&')
             except:
                 ans = ''
-            return ans.replace('&', '&&')
+            return ans
 
         def subtitle(self, index):
             try: