diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.upnpcontrol/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/upnpcontrol/internal/handler/UpnpRendererHandler.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.upnpcontrol/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/upnpcontrol/internal/handler/UpnpRendererHandler.java
index 0ff5a145a343c..6f0165ddb10a8 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.upnpcontrol/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/upnpcontrol/internal/handler/UpnpRendererHandler.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.upnpcontrol/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/upnpcontrol/internal/handler/UpnpRendererHandler.java
@@ -1648,12 +1648,12 @@ private void updateMetaDataState(UpnpEntry media) {
         }
         if (!(isCurrent
                 && (media.getAlbumArtUri().isEmpty() || media.getAlbumArtUri().contains("DefaultAlbumCover")))) {
-            if (media.getAlbumArtUri().isEmpty() || media.getAlbumArtUri().contains("DefaultAlbumCover")) {
+            if (media.getAlbumArtUri().isBlank() || media.getAlbumArtUri().contains("DefaultAlbumCover")) {
                 updateState(ALBUM_ART, UnDefType.UNDEF);
             } else {
                 State albumArt = null;
                 try {
-                    albumArt = HttpUtil.downloadImage(media.getAlbumArtUri());
+                    albumArt = HttpUtil.downloadImage(media.getAlbumArtUri().trim());
                 } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
                     logger.debug("Invalid album art URI: {}", media.getAlbumArtUri(), e);
                 }