diff --git a/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Cover/Loader.php b/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Cover/Loader.php
index 3665b54ec216585b8ea146e55a05bfb2e7cdf136..14d4bf5f703f9010cf8f8218d5070be653700d24 100644
--- a/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Cover/Loader.php
+++ b/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Cover/Loader.php
@@ -643,6 +643,10 @@ class Loader implements \Zend\Log\LoggerAwareInterface
         }
 
         $image = $result->getBody();
+        
+        if ('' == $image) {
+            return false;
+        }
 
         // Figure out file paths -- $tempFile will be used to store the
         // image for analysis.  $finalFile will be used for long-term storage if