diff --git a/qt/aqt/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/__init__.py
index 02b70af1f..42e02e1c2 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/__init__.py
@@ -671,11 +671,6 @@ def _run(argv: Optional[list[str]] = None, exec: bool = True) -> Optional[AnkiAp
         # we've signaled the primary instance, so we should close
         return None
 
-    setup_logging(
-        pm.addon_logs(),
-        level=logging.DEBUG if int(os.getenv("ANKIDEV", "0")) else logging.INFO,
-    )
-
     if not pm:
         if i18n_setup:
             QMessageBox.critical(
@@ -687,6 +682,11 @@ def _run(argv: Optional[list[str]] = None, exec: bool = True) -> Optional[AnkiAp
             QMessageBox.critical(None, "Startup Failed", "Unable to create data folder")
         return None
 
+    setup_logging(
+        pm.addon_logs(),
+        level=logging.DEBUG if int(os.getenv("ANKIDEV", "0")) else logging.INFO,
+    )
+
     # disable icons on mac; this must be done before window created
     if is_mac:
         app.setAttribute(Qt.ApplicationAttribute.AA_DontShowIconsInMenus)