diff --git a/alot/db/thread.py b/alot/db/thread.py
index 56b6d0d04..048c00e36 100644
--- a/alot/db/thread.py
+++ b/alot/db/thread.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def _refresh(self, thread):
             try:
                 first_msg = list(thread.toplevel())[0]
                 subject = first_msg.header('subject')
-            except IndexError:
+            except (IndexError, LookupError) as e:
                 subject = ''
         self._subject = subject