diff --git a/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/dialog.py b/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/dialog.py
index 2ee5f06f1..f4a2d3392 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/dialog.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/dialog.py
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ def __init__(self, export_disk: Disk, file_location: str, file_name: str) -> Non
 
         self._show_starting_instructions()
         self.start_animate_header()
-        self._export_disk.check_status_once_on(self.disk_status_check_requested)
         self._export_disk.export_on(self.file_export_requested)
+        self._export_disk.check_status_once_on(self.disk_status_check_requested)
         self.disk_status_check_requested.emit()
 
     def text(self) -> str:
diff --git a/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/print_dialog.py b/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/print_dialog.py
index 8de39fe01..4f7a7b0e6 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/print_dialog.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/gui/conversation/export/print_dialog.py
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ def __init__(self, printer: Printer, file_location: str, file_name: str) -> None
 
         self._show_starting_instructions()
         self.start_animate_header()
-        self._printer.check_status_once_on(self.printer_status_check_requested)
         self._printer.enqueue_job_on(self.file_printing_requested)
+        self._printer.check_status_once_on(self.printer_status_check_requested)
         self.printer_status_check_requested.emit()
 
     def text(self) -> str: