diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/content.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/content.py
index 7e70ced08e..d11c271ccc 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/content.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/contentstore/content.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class ContentStore(object):
 
                 contentstore().save(thumbnail_content)
             except:
-                raise
+                pass  # thumbnails are ultimately optional
 
         return thumbnail_content