diff --git a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
index 87033f0f..f5a3cff9 100644
--- a/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
+++ b/lib/Epub/Epub.cpp
@@ -570,10 +570,6 @@ bool Epub::generateThumbBmp(int height) const {
     LOG_ERR("EBP", "Cover image is not a supported format, skipping thumbnail");
   }
 
-  // Write an empty bmp file to avoid generation attempts in the future
-  FsFile thumbBmp;
-  Storage.openFileForWrite("EBP", getThumbBmpPath(height), thumbBmp);
-  thumbBmp.close();
   return false;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/RecentBooksStore.cpp b/src/RecentBooksStore.cpp
index 25092d85..880e11f4 100644
--- a/src/RecentBooksStore.cpp
+++ b/src/RecentBooksStore.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ void RecentBooksStore::addBook(const std::string& path, const std::string& title
   saveToFile();
 }
 
+void RecentBooksStore::removeBook(const std::string& path) {
+  auto it =
+      std::find_if(recentBooks.begin(), recentBooks.end(), [&](const RecentBook& book) { return book.path == path; });
+  if (it != recentBooks.end()) {
+    recentBooks.erase(it);
+    saveToFile();
+  }
+}
+
 void RecentBooksStore::updateBook(const std::string& path, const std::string& title, const std::string& author,
                                   const std::string& coverBmpPath) {
   auto it =
diff --git a/src/RecentBooksStore.h b/src/RecentBooksStore.h
index 8dbf0813..ec81c011 100644
--- a/src/RecentBooksStore.h
+++ b/src/RecentBooksStore.h
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ class RecentBooksStore {
   void updateBook(const std::string& path, const std::string& title, const std::string& author,
                   const std::string& coverBmpPath);
 
+  // Remove a book from the recent list by path
+  void removeBook(const std::string& path);
+
   // Get the list of recent books (most recent first)
   const std::vector<RecentBook>& getBooks() const { return recentBooks; }
 
diff --git a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
index d64f260b..1e42117f 100644
--- a/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
         }
 
         // Fallback: generate a placeholder thumbnail with title/author
-        if (!success && !Storage.exists(coverPath.c_str())) {
+        if (!success) {
           const int thumbWidth = static_cast<int>(coverHeight * 0.6);
           PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(coverPath, book.title, book.author, thumbWidth, coverHeight);
         }
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
index 36687b65..610330e2 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp
@@ -745,6 +745,9 @@ void EpubReaderActivity::onReaderMenuConfirm(EpubReaderMenuActivity::MenuAction
         epub->setupCacheDir();
 
         saveProgress(backupSpine, backupPage, backupPageCount);
+
+        // 5. Remove from recent books so the home screen doesn't show a stale/placeholder cover
+        RECENT_BOOKS.removeBook(epub->getPath());
       }
       xSemaphoreGive(renderingMutex);
       // Defer go home to avoid race condition with display task