diff --git a/openlibrary/core/lending.py b/openlibrary/core/lending.py
index 66f72c3001d..18f8dce12a9 100644
--- a/openlibrary/core/lending.py
+++ b/openlibrary/core/lending.py
@@ -1103,6 +1103,9 @@ def _post(self, **payload):
             ).json()
             logger.info("POST response: %s", jsontext)
             return jsontext
+        except JSONDecodeError:
+            logger.exception("POST failed to openlibrary.php, no json")
+            return {}
         except Exception:  # TODO: Narrow exception scope
             logger.exception("POST failed")
             raise