diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/image_popup.py b/src/calibre/gui2/image_popup.py
index 8f5c90582c..780617d58a 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/image_popup.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/image_popup.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ def render_svg(widget, path):
 class Label(QLabel):
 
     toggle_fit = pyqtSignal()
+    zoom_requested = pyqtSignal(bool)
 
     def __init__(self, scrollarea):
         super().__init__(scrollarea)
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ class Label(QLabel):
         self.in_drag = False
         self.prev_drag_position = None
         self.scrollarea = scrollarea
+        self.current_wheel_angle_delta = 0
 
     @property
     def is_pannable(self):
@@ -74,6 +76,17 @@ class Label(QLabel):
             self.dragged(pos.x() - p.x(), pos.y() - p.y())
         return super().mouseMoveEvent(ev)
 
+    def wheelEvent(self, ev):
+        if ev.modifiers() == Qt.KeyboardModifier.ControlModifier:
+            ad = ev.angleDelta().y()
+            if ad * self.current_wheel_angle_delta < 0:
+                self.current_wheel_angle_delta = 0
+            self.current_wheel_angle_delta += ad
+            if abs(self.current_wheel_angle_delta) >= 120:
+                self.zoom_requested.emit(self.current_wheel_angle_delta < 0)
+                self.current_wheel_angle_delta = 0
+            ev.accept()
+
     def dragged(self, dx, dy):
         h = self.scrollarea.horizontalScrollBar()
         if h.isVisible():
@@ -111,6 +124,7 @@ class ImageView(QDialog):
         sa.setAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignHCenter | Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter)
         sa.setBackgroundRole(QPalette.ColorRole.Dark)
         self.label = l = Label(sa)
+        l.zoom_requested.connect(self.zoom_requested)
         sa.toggle_fit.connect(self.toggle_fit)
         sa.setWidget(l)
 
@@ -178,6 +192,10 @@ class ImageView(QDialog):
         actual_height = self.current_img.size().height()
         return scaled_height / actual_height
 
+    def zoom_requested(self, zoom_out):
+        if (zoom_out and self.zo_button.isEnabled()) or (not zoom_out and self.zi_button.isEnabled()):
+            (self.zoom_out if zoom_out else self.zoom_in)()
+
     def zoom_in(self):
         if self.fit_image.isChecked():
             factor = self.factor_from_fit()
@@ -285,12 +303,6 @@ class ImageView(QDialog):
             else:
                 self.showNormal()
 
-    def wheelEvent(self, event):
-        d = event.angleDelta().y()
-        if abs(d) > 0 and not self.scrollarea.verticalScrollBar().isVisible():
-            event.accept()
-            (self.zoom_out if d < 0 else self.zoom_in)()
-
 
 class ImagePopup: