diff --git a/application.py b/application.py
index 7282692..dd0818c 100755
--- a/application.py
+++ b/application.py
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ class Application(object):
         self.stdscr = stdscr
         self.y, self.x = self.stdscr.getmaxyx()
 
+        # we have to do this early so we can log errors
+        self.log = buffer.LogBuffer()
+
         # initialize some basic stuff
         self.config             = {}
         self.highlighted_ranges = [] 
@@ -146,7 +149,6 @@ class Application(object):
         # initialize our buffers
         # note that only the first buffer will be initially visible
         buffers.append(buffer.about.AboutBuffer())
-        self.log = buffer.LogBuffer()
         buffers.append(self.log)
         if self.rcerror:
             buffers.insert(0, buffer.data.DataBuffer('*RcError*', self.rcerror))