diff --git a/beetsplug/fetchart.py b/beetsplug/fetchart.py
index 09f74bfce..7675f0e0a 100644
--- a/beetsplug/fetchart.py
+++ b/beetsplug/fetchart.py
@@ -977,12 +977,21 @@ class Spotify(RemoteArtSource):
 
 
 class CoverArtUrl(RemoteArtSource):
+    # This source is intended to be used with the plugin that sets the
+    # cover_art_url field on albums or tracks. Users can also manually update
+    # the cover_art_url field using the "set" command. This source will then
+    # use that URL to fetch the image.
+
     NAME = "Cover Art URL"
 
     def get(self, album, plugin, paths):
         image_url = None
         try:
-            image_url = album.items().get().cover_art_url
+            # look for cover_art_url on album or first track
+            if album.cover_art_url:
+                image_url = album.cover_art_url
+            else:
+                image_url = album.items().get().cover_art_url
             self._log.debug(f'Cover art URL {image_url} found for {album}')
         except (AttributeError, TypeError):
             self._log.debug(f'Cover art URL not found for {album}')
diff --git a/docs/plugins/fetchart.rst b/docs/plugins/fetchart.rst
index 20ae04c46..f3fe0854f 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/fetchart.rst
+++ b/docs/plugins/fetchart.rst
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ Spotify backend is enabled by default and will update album art if a valid Spoti
 Cover Art URL
 '''''''''''''
 
-The `fetchart` plugin can also use a flexible attribute field ``cover_art_url`` where you can manually specify the image URL to be used as cover art. Any custom plugin can use this field to provide the cover art and ``fetchart`` will use it as a source. Just add ``cover_art_url`` to the list of sources in your configuration to enable this source.
+The `fetchart` plugin can also use a flexible attribute field ``cover_art_url`` where you can manually specify the image URL to be used as cover art. Any custom plugin can use this field to provide the cover art and ``fetchart`` will use it as a source.
 
 Storing the Artwork's Source
 ----------------------------