diff --git a/service.cpp b/service.cpp
index 873b8a8..1e78c3c 100644
--- a/service.cpp
+++ b/service.cpp
@@ -404,13 +404,13 @@ int start_service() {
 
   close_output_handles(&si);
 
+  /* Wait for a clean startup. */
+  if (WaitForSingleObject(process_handle, throttle_delay) == WAIT_TIMEOUT) throttle = 0;
+
   /* Signal successful start */
   service_status.dwCurrentState = SERVICE_RUNNING;
   SetServiceStatus(service_handle, &service_status);
 
-  /* Wait for a clean startup. */
-  if (WaitForSingleObject(process_handle, throttle_delay) == WAIT_TIMEOUT) throttle = 0;
-
   return 0;
 }