diff --git a/lisp/image-mode.el b/lisp/image-mode.el
index aee91ee8b21..24be008f3f7 100644
--- a/lisp/image-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/image-mode.el
@@ -829,7 +829,9 @@ was inserted."
       (setq image-transform-rotation
             (or (exif-orientation
                  (ignore-error exif-error
-                   (exif-parse-buffer)))
+                   ;; exif-parse-buffer can move point, so preserve it.
+                   (save-excursion
+                     (exif-parse-buffer))))
                 0.0)))
     ;; Swap width and height when changing orientation
     ;; between portrait and landscape.