diff --git a/jrnl/cli.py b/jrnl/cli.py
index 070d134b..148408d3 100644
--- a/jrnl/cli.py
+++ b/jrnl/cli.py
@@ -345,6 +345,13 @@ def run(manual_args=None):
     else:
         _exit_multiline_code = "press Ctrl+D"
 
+    # This is where we finally open the journal!
+    try:
+        journal = open_journal(journal_name, config)
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        print("[Interrupted while opening journal]", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
     if mode_compose and not args.text:
         if not sys.stdin.isatty():
             # Piping data into jrnl
@@ -376,13 +383,6 @@ def run(manual_args=None):
         else:
             sys.exit()
 
-    # This is where we finally open the journal!
-    try:
-        journal = open_journal(journal_name, config)
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
-        print("[Interrupted while opening journal]", file=sys.stderr)
-        sys.exit(1)
-
     # Import mode
     if mode_import:
         plugins.get_importer(args.import_).import_(journal, args.input)