diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/linux_file_dialogs.py b/src/calibre/gui2/linux_file_dialogs.py
index be048b2862..de9420d55f 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/linux_file_dialogs.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/linux_file_dialogs.py
@@ -289,13 +289,13 @@ def linux_native_dialog(name):
             loop = QEventLoop(window)
 
             def r():
-                while not loop.isRunning():
-                    time.sleep(0.001)  # yield so that loop starts
                 try:
                     ret[0] = func(window, *args, **kwargs)
                 except:
                     ret[1] = sys.exc_info()
                     sys.exc_clear()
+                while not loop.isRunning():
+                    time.sleep(0.001)  # yield so that loop starts
                 loop.quit()
             t = Thread(name='FileDialogHelper', target=r)
             t.daemon = True