if base folder can't be written, defer displaying message until qt is ready

aqt/__init__.py

@@ -332,11 +332,19 @@ def _run(argv=None, exec=True):
     opts, args = parseArgs(argv)
 
     # profile manager
+    pm = None
+    try:
         pm = ProfileManager(opts.base)
         pmLoadResult = pm.setupMeta()
+    except:
+        # will handle below
+        pass
 
+    if pm:
         # gl workarounds
         setupGL(pm)
+        # apply user-provided scale factor
+        os.environ["QT_SCALE_FACTOR"] = str(pm.uiScale())
 
     # opt in to full hidpi support?
     if not os.environ.get("ANKI_NOHIGHDPI"):
@@ -348,9 +356,6 @@ def _run(argv=None, exec=True):
     if os.environ.get("ANKI_SOFTWAREOPENGL"):
         QCoreApplication.setAttribute(Qt.AA_UseSoftwareOpenGL)
 
-    # apply user-provided scale factor
-    os.environ["QT_SCALE_FACTOR"] = str(pm.uiScale())
-
     # create the app
     QCoreApplication.setApplicationName("Anki")
     QGuiApplication.setDesktopFileName("anki.desktop")
@@ -359,6 +364,16 @@ def _run(argv=None, exec=True):
         # we've signaled the primary instance, so we should close
         return
 
+    if not pm:
+        QMessageBox.critical(
+            None,
+            "Error",
+            """\
+Anki could not create its data folder. Please see the File Locations \
+section of the manual, and ensure that location is not read-only.""",
+        )
+        return
+
     # disable icons on mac; this must be done before window created
     if isMac:
         app.setAttribute(Qt.AA_DontShowIconsInMenus)

aqt/profiles.py

@@ -97,22 +97,7 @@ class ProfileManager:
     ######################################################################
 
     def ensureBaseExists(self):
-        try:
         self._ensureExists(self.base)
-        except:
-            # can't translate, as lang not initialized, and qt may not be
-            print("unable to create base folder")
-            QMessageBox.critical(
-                None,
-                "Error",
-                """\
-Anki could not create the folder %s. Please ensure that location is not \
-read-only and you have permission to write to it. If you cannot fix this \
-issue, please see the documentation for information on running Anki from \
-a flash drive."""
-                % self.base,
-            )
-            raise
 
     # Folder migration
     ######################################################################