diff --git a/youtube_dlc/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py b/youtube_dlc/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
index a7d53d7f5..2ff3cff69 100644
--- a/youtube_dlc/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
+++ b/youtube_dlc/postprocessor/embedthumbnail.py
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ class EmbedThumbnailPP(FFmpegPostProcessor):
         elif info['ext'] == 'mkv':
             old_thumbnail_filename = thumbnail_filename
             thumbnail_filename = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(old_thumbnail_filename), 'cover.jpg')
-            os.remove(encodeFilename(thumbnail_filename))
+            if os.path.exists(thumbnail_filename):
+                os.remove(encodeFilename(thumbnail_filename))
             os.rename(encodeFilename(old_thumbnail_filename), encodeFilename(thumbnail_filename))
 
             options = [