diff --git a/aqt/__init__.py b/aqt/__init__.py
index c30b2bd7d..1645209b1 100644
--- a/aqt/__init__.py
+++ b/aqt/__init__.py
@@ -310,9 +310,9 @@ def _run(argv=None, exec=True):
         QCoreApplication.setAttribute(Qt.AA_EnableHighDpiScaling)
 
     # create the app
-    app = AnkiApp(argv)
     QCoreApplication.setApplicationName("Anki")
     QGuiApplication.setDesktopFileName("anki.desktop")
+    app = AnkiApp(argv)
     if app.secondInstance():
         # we've signaled the primary instance, so we should close
         return