diff --git a/beetsplug/fetchart.py b/beetsplug/fetchart.py
index 763440238..d4ab714de 100644
--- a/beetsplug/fetchart.py
+++ b/beetsplug/fetchart.py
@@ -210,6 +210,9 @@ class ArtSource(RequestMixin):
     def fetch_image(self, candidate, plugin):
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
+    def cleanup_tmp(self, candidate):
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
 
 class LocalArtSource(ArtSource):
     IS_LOCAL = True
@@ -218,6 +221,10 @@ class LocalArtSource(ArtSource):
     def fetch_image(self, candidate, plugin):
         pass
 
+    def cleanup_tmp(self, candidate):
+        # local art source does not create tmp files
+        pass
+
 
 class RemoteArtSource(ArtSource):
     IS_LOCAL = False
@@ -291,6 +298,13 @@ class RemoteArtSource(ArtSource):
             self._log.debug(u'error fetching art: {}', exc)
             return
 
+    def cleanup_tmp(self, candidate):
+        if candidate.path:
+            try:
+                util.remove(path=candidate.path)
+            except util.FilesystemError as exc:
+                self._log.debug(u'error cleaning up tmp art: {}', exc)
+
 
 class CoverArtArchive(RemoteArtSource):
     NAME = u"Cover Art Archive"
@@ -1017,6 +1031,8 @@ class FetchArtPlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin, RequestMixin):
                             u'using {0.LOC_STR} image {1}'.format(
                                 source, util.displayable_path(out.path)))
                         break
+                    # else: remove tmp images created by this invalid candidate
+                    source.cleanup_tmp(candidate)
                 if out:
                     break