A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system includes a storage container containing a supply of an aerosol-forming substrate, a fluid permeable heating element positioned across an opening in the storage container, a protective cover coupled to the storage container and covering the fluid permeable heating element, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet, and an airflow path from the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet. The protective cover is configured such that a portion of the airflow path is between the protective cover and the fluid permeable heating element.