diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/main.py b/src/calibre/gui2/main.py
index 495fe0d2fe..4bac4770c5 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/main.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/main.py
@@ -251,9 +251,9 @@ class GuiRunner(QObject):
     def start_gui(self, db):
         from calibre.gui2.ui import Main
         self.timed_print('Constructing main UI...')
-        main = self.main = Main(self.opts, gui_debug=self.gui_debug)
         if self.splash_screen is not None:
             self.splash_screen.show_message(_('Initializing user interface...'))
+        main = self.main = Main(self.opts, gui_debug=self.gui_debug)
         try:
             with gprefs:  # Only write gui.json after initialization is complete
                 main.initialize(self.library_path, db, self.actions)