diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 9e474ba5..2a22b2cf 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # TODO
 
-- strip file:// from copy path
 - some way to show name and date on EventFile
 - sentinel func to report path if already cached without having to click 
 - verify eventfile height
diff --git a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventFile.qml b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventFile.qml
index 605741d6..54c69c03 100644
--- a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventFile.qml
+++ b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventFile.qml
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ HTile {
 
         eventDelegate.hoveredMediaTypeUrl = [
             EventDelegate.Media.File,
-            loader.downloadedPath || loader.mediaUrl
+            loader.downloadedPath.replace(/^file:\/\//, "") || loader.mediaUrl
         ]
     }
 
diff --git a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventImage.qml b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventImage.qml
index 74034011..6e9204f4 100644
--- a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventImage.qml
+++ b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventImage.qml
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ HMxcImage {
 
             eventDelegate.hoveredMediaTypeUrl = [
                 EventDelegate.Media.Image,
-                loader.downloadedPath || loader.mediaUrl
+                loader.downloadedPath.replace(/^file:\/\//, "") ||
+                loader.mediaUrl
             ]
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventMediaLoader.qml b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventMediaLoader.qml
index 6e83cc31..b66df087 100644
--- a/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventMediaLoader.qml
+++ b/src/qml/Chat/Timeline/EventMediaLoader.qml
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ HLoader {
         if (! loader.mediaUrl.startsWith("mxc://")) {
             downloadedPath = loader.mediaUrl
             callback(loader.mediaUrl)
+            return
         }
 
         if (! downloadedPath) print("Downloading " + loader.mediaUrl + " ...")