diff --git a/src/aare/gui/gui.py b/src/aare/gui/gui.py
index 5cb233c9..e5387451 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/gui.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/gui.py
@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ def main():
         basedir = os.path.dirname(__file__)
         icon_path = os.path.join(basedir, "graphics/aaregui_logo.svg")
         banner_path = os.path.join(basedir, "graphics/aare_banner.png")
-        splash_pix = QtGui.QPixmap(banner_path)
-        splash = LoadingSplashScreen(splash_pix)
     except Exception:
         logger.exception("Failed to load resources for splash screen")
         sys.exit(1)
     try:
         # define application
         app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+        splash_pix = QtGui.QPixmap(banner_path)
+        splash = LoadingSplashScreen(splash_pix)
         app.setWindowIcon(QtGui.QIcon(icon_path))
         app.setApplicationName("AareGUI")
         app.setApplicationVersion("0.3.1")