diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
index f1f76eb89b..624935f279 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/ui.py
@@ -522,7 +522,12 @@ class Main(MainWindow, MainWindowMixin, DeviceMixin, # {{{
 
 
     def shutdown(self, write_settings=True):
-        self.library_view.model().db.clean()
+        try:
+            cf = self.library_view.model().db.clean
+        except:
+            pass
+        else:
+            cf()
         for action in self.iactions.values():
             if not action.shutting_down():
                 return