diff --git a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
index ecfc8f95..4101614f 100644
--- a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
+++ b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
@@ -435,11 +435,8 @@ bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
   const auto coverImageHref = bookMetadataCache->coreMetadata.coverItemHref;
   if (coverImageHref.empty()) {
     Serial.printf("[%lu] [EBP] No known cover image for thumbnail\n", millis());
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (coverImageHref.substr(coverImageHref.length() - 4) == ".jpg" ||
-      coverImageHref.substr(coverImageHref.length() - 5) == ".jpeg") {
+  } else if (coverImageHref.substr(coverImageHref.length() - 4) == ".jpg" ||
+             coverImageHref.substr(coverImageHref.length() - 5) == ".jpeg") {
     Serial.printf("[%lu] [EBP] Generating thumb BMP from JPG cover image\n", millis());
     const auto coverJpgTempPath = getCachePath() + "/.cover.jpg";
 
@@ -480,6 +477,10 @@ bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
     Serial.printf("[%lu] [EBP] Cover image is not a JPG, skipping thumbnail\n", millis());
   }
 
+  // Write an empty bmp file to avoid generation attempts in the future
+  FsFile thumbBmp;
+  SdMan.openFileForWrite("EBP", getThumbBmpPath(height), thumbBmp);
+  thumbBmp.close();
   return false;
 }