diff --git a/lightningd/lightningd.c b/lightningd/lightningd.c
index a34bbfdcb..adb1dfc00 100644
--- a/lightningd/lightningd.c
+++ b/lightningd/lightningd.c
@@ -285,9 +285,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/* Handle options and config; move to .lightningd */
 	newdir = handle_opts(ld, argc, argv);
 
-	/* Activate crash log now we're in the right place. */
-	crashlog_activate(argv[0], ld->log);
-
 	/* Ignore SIGPIPE: we look at our write return values*/
 	signal(SIGPIPE, SIG_IGN);
 
@@ -367,6 +364,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/* Now kick off topology update, now peers have watches. */
 	begin_topology(ld->topology);
 
+	/* Activate crash log now we're not reporting startup failures. */
+	crashlog_activate(argv[0], ld->log);
+
 	for (;;) {
 		struct timer *expired;
 		void *v = io_loop(&ld->timers, &expired);