diff --git a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
index 5a9a85f179..14527debba 100644
--- a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
@@ -317,6 +317,12 @@ describe(AssetMediaService.name, () => {
       ).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(BadRequestException);
 
       expect(mocks.asset.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(mocks.asset.remove).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(mocks.job.queue).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        name: JobName.FileDelete,
+        data: { files: [file.originalPath, undefined] },
+      });
+      expect(mocks.event.emit).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(mocks.user.updateUsage).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(authStub.user1.user.id, file.size);
       expect(mocks.storage.utimes).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
         file.originalPath,
diff --git a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
index 818bd5eb91..1bb9d1e5b6 100644
--- a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { BadRequestException, Injectable, InternalServerErrorException, NotFoundException } from '@nestjs/common';
 import sanitize from 'sanitize-filename';
 import { StorageCore } from 'src/cores/storage.core';
-import { AuthSharedLink } from 'src/database';
+import { Asset, AuthSharedLink } from 'src/database';
 import {
   AssetBulkUploadCheckResponseDto,
   AssetMediaResponseDto,
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ export class AssetMediaService extends BaseService {
     file: UploadFile,
     sidecarFile?: UploadFile,
   ): Promise<AssetMediaResponseDto> {
+    let asset: Asset | undefined;
     try {
       await this.requireAccess({
         auth,
@@ -145,7 +146,7 @@ export class AssetMediaService extends BaseService {
         );
       }
 
-      const asset = await this.assetRepository.create({
+      asset = await this.assetRepository.create({
         ownerId: auth.user.id,
         libraryId: null,
 
@@ -215,6 +216,11 @@ export class AssetMediaService extends BaseService {
         return { status: AssetMediaStatus.DUPLICATE, id: duplicateId };
       }
 
+      // clean up the asset row if one was created
+      if (asset) {
+        await this.assetRepository.remove({ id: asset.id });
+      }
+
       this.logger.error(`Error uploading file ${error}`, error?.stack);
       throw error;
     }