diff --git a/src/icloudpd/base.py b/src/icloudpd/base.py
index 4b00a615d..405b8c6bd 100644
--- a/src/icloudpd/base.py
+++ b/src/icloudpd/base.py
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ def download_photo_(counter: Counter, photo: PhotoAsset) -> bool:
                             logger.info("Downloaded %s", truncated_path)
 
                 if xmp_sidecar:
-                    generate_xmp_file(logger, download_path, photo._asset_record)
+                    generate_xmp_file(logger, download_path, photo._asset_record, dry_run)
 
             # Also download the live photo if present
             if not skip_live_photos:
diff --git a/src/icloudpd/xmp_sidecar.py b/src/icloudpd/xmp_sidecar.py
index a322a31c4..e2e7e78c3 100644
--- a/src/icloudpd/xmp_sidecar.py
+++ b/src/icloudpd/xmp_sidecar.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class XMPMetadata(NamedTuple):
 
 
 def generate_xmp_file(
-    logger: logging.Logger, download_path: str, asset_record: dict[str, Any]
+    logger: logging.Logger, download_path: str, asset_record: dict[str, Any], dry_run: bool
 ) -> None:
     sidecar_path: str = download_path + ".xmp"
     can_write_file: bool = True
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@ def generate_xmp_file(
     if can_write_file:
         xmp_metadata: XMPMetadata = build_metadata(asset_record)
         xml_doc: ElementTree.Element = generate_xml(xmp_metadata)
-        # Write the XML to the file
-        with open(sidecar_path, "wb") as f:
-            f.write(ElementTree.tostring(xml_doc, encoding="utf-8", xml_declaration=True))
+        if not dry_run:
+            # Write the XML to the file
+            with open(sidecar_path, "wb") as f:
+                f.write(ElementTree.tostring(xml_doc, encoding="utf-8", xml_declaration=True))
 
 
 def build_metadata(asset_record: dict[str, Any]) -> XMPMetadata: