diff --git a/src/backend/src/filesystem/hl_operations/hl_write.js b/src/backend/src/filesystem/hl_operations/hl_write.js
index 7a866eb25..09c8336cb 100644
--- a/src/backend/src/filesystem/hl_operations/hl_write.js
+++ b/src/backend/src/filesystem/hl_operations/hl_write.js
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ class HLWrite extends HLFilesystemOperation {
         this.checkpoint('before thumbnail');
 
         let thumbnail_promise = new TeePromise();
-        if ( await destination.isAppDataDirectory() || values.no_thumbnail ) {
+        if ( await parent.isAppDataDirectory() || values.no_thumbnail ) {
             thumbnail_promise.resolve(undefined);
         } else (async () => {
             const reason = await (async () => {