diff --git a/jrnl/Journal.py b/jrnl/Journal.py
index 92a6774f..599e1ed5 100644
--- a/jrnl/Journal.py
+++ b/jrnl/Journal.py
@@ -36,8 +36,6 @@ class Journal(object):
         self.search_tags = None  # Store tags we're highlighting
         self.name = name
 
-        self.open()
-
     def __len__(self):
         """Returns the number of entries"""
         return len(self.entries)
diff --git a/jrnl/cli.py b/jrnl/cli.py
index 35764734..5751b041 100644
--- a/jrnl/cli.py
+++ b/jrnl/cli.py
@@ -216,6 +216,8 @@ def run(manual_args=None):
         else:
             mode_compose = False
 
+    journal.open()
+
     # Writing mode
     if mode_compose:
         raw = " ".join(args.text).strip()