diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/lut_profiles.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/lut_profiles.rs
index f03809b62..b7a0d4992 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/lut_profiles.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/lut_profiles.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ pub struct LutProfile {
     pub id: String,
     pub name: String,
     pub group: String,
-    /// The `.cube` file (the library's copy when there is a library on disk).
+    /// The library's copy of the `.cube` file (empty without a library on disk).
     pub file: String,
 }
 
@@ -123,12 +123,9 @@ fn import(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
                 std::fs::write(&f, &text).map_err(|e| bad(C, format!("{}: {e}", f.display())))?;
                 f.to_string_lossy().to_string()
             }
-            None => {
-                // no library on disk: remember the original (the in-memory session ends with the app)
-                let f = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("lightcraft-{}.cube", id.trim_start_matches("lut:")));
-                std::fs::write(&f, &text).map_err(|e| bad(C, e.to_string()))?;
-                f.to_string_lossy().to_string()
-            }
+            // no library on disk: the registered LUT is all this session needs (a copy would only
+            // be read back when a library opens, and that takes its own list from its prefs)
+            None => String::new(),
         };
         lightcraft_pipeline::lut::register(&id, lut);
         s.lut_profiles.push(LutProfile { id: id.clone(), name: display.clone(), group: group.clone(), file });
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests_import.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests_import.rs
index 3d6469deb..f00ecc557 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests_import.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests_import.rs
@@ -611,6 +611,34 @@ fn cube_luts_become_profiles() {
 
 /// Folder rename / move on disk: files and sidecars go along, the photos are relinked and
 /// still render; clashes and moving into itself are refused.
+/// Without a library on disk an imported LUT lives only in this session: no copy of it is
+/// left in the temp folder (#1952).
+#[test]
+fn cube_import_without_a_library_leaves_no_temp_copy() {
+    let src = temp_dir("cubemem");
+    let mut cube = String::from("TITLE \"Temp Copy Check\"\nLUT_3D_SIZE 2\n");
+    for b in 0..2 {
+        for g in 0..2 {
+            for r in 0..2 {
+                cube.push_str(&format!("{r} {g} {b}\n"));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    std::fs::write(src.join("mem.cube"), &cube).unwrap();
+    let leak = std::env::temp_dir().join("lightcraft-imported-temp-copy-check.cube");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&leak);
+    let mut s = Session::new().with_fs();
+    let r = s.execute("profile.import", &json!({"paths": [src.join("mem.cube").to_string_lossy()]})).unwrap();
+    let id = r["imported"][0]["id"].as_str().unwrap().to_string();
+    assert!(lightcraft_pipeline::lut::get(&id).is_some(), "usable in this session");
+    let file = s.lut_profiles.iter().find(|p| p.id == id).unwrap().file.clone();
+    assert!(file.is_empty() || Path::new(&file).starts_with(&src), "no copy written: {file}");
+    drop(s);
+    assert!(!leak.exists(), "{} left behind", leak.display());
+    lightcraft_pipeline::lut::unregister(&id);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&src);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn folders_rename_and_move_with_their_photos() {
     let root = temp_dir("folders");