diff --git a/dzgui/app_init.py b/dzgui/app_init.py
index 178da23..4903b20 100644
--- a/dzgui/app_init.py
+++ b/dzgui/app_init.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from dzgui.init.migrate import (
     copy_state_files,
     migrate_cols_file,
 )
-from dzgui.init.flock import lock_acquire
 from dzgui.init.prereqs import has_flatpak_client, has_steam_client
 from dzgui.strings import boot
 
@@ -122,8 +121,6 @@ def load_steam_icon() -> None:
 
 
 def build_gui(version: str, is_debug: bool) -> App | None:
-    lock = lock_acquire()  # noqa
-
     set_locale()
     # NOTE: consider aborting this check if steam deck
     xdg_paths = get_xdg_paths()
diff --git a/dzgui/main.py b/dzgui/main.py
index 5e660cf..a32d021 100644
--- a/dzgui/main.py
+++ b/dzgui/main.py
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ def main() -> None:
 
     # NOTE: only import ligbirepository modules after the above check
     from dzgui.app_init import build_gui
+    from dzgui.init.flock import lock_acquire
+
+    lock = lock_acquire()  # noqa
 
     app = build_gui(version, args.debug)
     if app is None: