diff --git a/core/metadata/art_apply.py b/core/metadata/art_apply.py
index f81a35cd..cee020ed 100644
--- a/core/metadata/art_apply.py
+++ b/core/metadata/art_apply.py
@@ -176,7 +176,10 @@ def apply_art_to_album_files(
         # the read-only flag it sets back.
         cover_ctx = context if isinstance(context, dict) else {}
         try:
-            download_cover_art(album_info, target_dir, cover_ctx)
+            # force=True: the Cover Art Filler always writes the cover.jpg sidecar,
+            # regardless of the import-time "Download cover.jpg" toggle — running
+            # the art filler is an explicit request for the complete art (Sokhi).
+            download_cover_art(album_info, target_dir, cover_ctx, force=True)
             result["cover_written"] = folder_has_cover_sidecar(target_dir)
         except Exception as exc:
             if getattr(exc, "errno", None) == errno.EROFS:
diff --git a/core/metadata/artwork.py b/core/metadata/artwork.py
index 091ee1c4..758fe206 100644
--- a/core/metadata/artwork.py
+++ b/core/metadata/artwork.py
@@ -470,9 +470,17 @@ def embed_album_art_metadata(audio_file, metadata: dict):
         return False
 
 
-def download_cover_art(album_info: dict, target_dir: str, context: dict = None):
+def download_cover_art(album_info: dict, target_dir: str, context: dict = None, force: bool = False):
+    """Write cover.jpg into ``target_dir``.
+
+    ``force`` bypasses the import-time "Download cover.jpg to album folder"
+    toggle — used by the Cover Art Filler, whose whole job is to add cover art
+    (if you explicitly run the filler you want the sidecar regardless of the
+    auto-import preference). The import pipeline calls this WITHOUT force, so it
+    still honors the user's setting.
+    """
     cfg = get_config_manager()
-    if cfg.get("metadata_enhancement.cover_art_download", True) is False:
+    if not force and cfg.get("metadata_enhancement.cover_art_download", True) is False:
         return
 
     try:
diff --git a/tests/test_art_apply.py b/tests/test_art_apply.py
index 3a590ef1..4e3d2470 100644
--- a/tests/test_art_apply.py
+++ b/tests/test_art_apply.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def test_apply_embeds_into_each_file_and_writes_cover(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'embed_album_art_metadata', lambda a, m: embed_calls.append(m) or True)
     # download_cover_art is the standard cover.jpg writer — stub it to drop one.
     monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'download_cover_art',
-                        lambda album_info, folder, ctx=None: open(f"{folder}/cover.jpg", 'wb').close())
+                        lambda album_info, folder, ctx=None, **k: open(f"{folder}/cover.jpg", 'wb').close())
 
     meta = {'artist': 'A', 'album': 'B', 'album_art_url': 'http://x/y.jpg'}
     res = aa.apply_art_to_album_files([str(f1), str(f2)], meta, {'album_name': 'B'}, folder=str(tmp_path))
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ def test_cover_only_read_only_is_detected(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     audio = SimpleNamespace(pictures=['pic'], tags={'ok': 1})  # already has art → embed skipped
     monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'get_mutagen_symbols', lambda: _fake_symbols(audio))
 
-    def _fake_download(album_info, target_dir, ctx):
+    def _fake_download(album_info, target_dir, ctx, **k):
         # mimic download_cover_art's EROFS handling: record on context, swallow
         if isinstance(ctx, dict):
             ctx['_cover_read_only'] = True
@@ -231,3 +231,19 @@ def test_apply_normal_failure_not_flagged_read_only(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     assert res['failed'] == 1
 
 
+
+
+def test_filler_forces_cover_sidecar_write(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    # The Cover Art Filler must write cover.jpg regardless of the import-time
+    # "Download cover.jpg" toggle — so apply passes force=True (Sokhi).
+    f = tmp_path / 'a.mp3'; f.write_bytes(b'')
+    audio = SimpleNamespace(pictures=[], tags={'ok': 1}, save=lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'get_mutagen_symbols', lambda: _fake_symbols(audio))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'embed_album_art_metadata', lambda *a, **k: True)
+    captured = {}
+    monkeypatch.setattr(aa, 'download_cover_art',
+                        lambda album_info, target_dir, ctx, **k: captured.update(k))
+
+    aa.apply_art_to_album_files([str(f)], {}, {}, folder=str(tmp_path))
+
+    assert captured.get('force') is True