diff --git a/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/json.lua b/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/json.lua
index 9e7543dce..31f463ab7 100644
--- a/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/json.lua
+++ b/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/json.lua
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ local function format(booknotes, settings)
         entries = {},
         exported = booknotes.exported,
         file = booknotes.file,
-        md5sum = settings.bookChecksum and md5.sumFile(booknotes.file) or nil,
+        md5sum = settings.bookChecksum and booknotes.file and md5.sumFile(booknotes.file) or nil,
         number_of_pages = booknotes.number_of_pages
     }
     for _, entry in ipairs(booknotes) do
diff --git a/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/xmnote.lua b/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/xmnote.lua
index 81d3414f6..1486fe581 100644
--- a/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/xmnote.lua
+++ b/plugins/exporter.koplugin/target/xmnote.lua
@@ -192,8 +192,10 @@ function XMNoteExporter:export(t)
     if not self:isReadyToExport() then return false end
 
     for _, booknotes in ipairs(t) do
-        local ok = self:createHighlights(booknotes)
-        if not ok then return false end
+        if booknotes.file then
+            local ok = self:createHighlights(booknotes)
+            if not ok then return false end
+        end
     end
     return true
 end