diff --git a/wagtail/wagtailimages/rich_text.py b/wagtail/wagtailimages/rich_text.py
index 9caaed3bd..17d0fcfbf 100644
--- a/wagtail/wagtailimages/rich_text.py
+++ b/wagtail/wagtailimages/rich_text.py
@@ -31,15 +31,12 @@ class ImageEmbedHandler(object):
         Image = get_image_model()
         try:
             image = Image.objects.get(id=attrs['id'])
-            format = get_image_format(attrs['format'])
-
-            if for_editor:
-                try:
-                    return format.image_to_editor_html(image, attrs['alt'])
-                except:
-                    return ''
-            else:
-                return format.image_to_html(image, attrs['alt'])
-
         except Image.DoesNotExist:
             return "<img>"
+
+        format = get_image_format(attrs['format'])
+
+        if for_editor:
+            return format.image_to_editor_html(image, attrs['alt'])
+        else:
+            return format.image_to_html(image, attrs['alt'])