diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/init.py b/src/calibre/gui2/init.py
index 338a558f29..8c88393d45 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/init.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/init.py
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ __docformat__ = 'restructuredtext en'
 
 import functools
 
-from PyQt4.Qt import Qt, QStackedWidget, QMenu, \
-        QSize, QSizePolicy, QStatusBar, QLabel, QFont
+from PyQt4.Qt import (Qt, QStackedWidget, QMenu, QTimer,
+        QSize, QSizePolicy, QStatusBar, QLabel, QFont)
 
 from calibre.utils.config import prefs
 from calibre.constants import (isosx, __appname__, preferred_encoding,
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ class LayoutMixin(object): # {{{
 
         m = self.library_view.model()
         if m.rowCount(None) > 0:
-            self.library_view.set_current_row(0)
+            QTimer.singleShot(0, self.library_view.set_current_row)
             m.current_changed(self.library_view.currentIndex(),
                     self.library_view.currentIndex())
         self.library_view.setFocus(Qt.OtherFocusReason)
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index e263e2c489..452cab2430 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ class BooksView(QTableView): # {{{
                     self.scrollTo(self.model().index(row, i), self.PositionAtCenter)
                     break
 
-    def set_current_row(self, row, select=True):
+    def set_current_row(self, row=0, select=True):
         if row > -1 and row < self.model().rowCount(QModelIndex()):
             h = self.horizontalHeader()
             logical_indices = list(range(h.count()))