diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index e0403714..bb4363de 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ use std::hash::{Hash, Hasher};
 use std::sync::{atomic::AtomicUsize, Arc, RwLock};
 use std::time::{self, Duration};
 use std::{fmt, io};
-use tokio::fs::File;
 
 use crate::config::{GooseConfiguration, GooseDefaults};
 use crate::controller::{ControllerProtocol, ControllerRequest};
@@ -1723,16 +1722,8 @@ impl GooseAttack {
         goose_attack_run_state.throttle_threads_tx = throttle_threads_tx;
         goose_attack_run_state.parent_to_throttle_tx = parent_to_throttle_tx;
 
-        // If enabled, try to create the report file to confirm access.
-        for file in &self.configuration.report_file {
-            let _ = File::create(&file)
-                .await
-                .map_err(|err| GooseError::InvalidOption {
-                    option: "--report-file".to_string(),
-                    value: file.clone(),
-                    detail: format!("Failed to create report file: {err}"),
-                })?;
-        }
+        // Try to create the requested report files, to confirm access.
+        self.create_reports().await?;
 
         // Record when the GooseAttack officially started.
         self.started = Some(time::Instant::now());
diff --git a/src/metrics.rs b/src/metrics.rs
index b06ecd07..fe8313a5 100644
--- a/src/metrics.rs
+++ b/src/metrics.rs
@@ -3003,8 +3003,11 @@ impl GooseAttack {
         };
     }
 
-    /// Write all requested reports.
-    pub(crate) async fn write_reports(&self) -> Result<(), GooseError> {
+    /// Process all requested reports.
+    ///
+    /// If `write` is true, then also write the data. Otherwise just create the files to ensure
+    /// we have access.
+    async fn process_reports(&self, write: bool) -> Result<(), GooseError> {
         let create = |path: PathBuf| async move {
             File::create(&path)
                 .await
@@ -3019,13 +3022,22 @@ impl GooseAttack {
             let path = PathBuf::from(report);
             match path.extension().map(OsStr::to_string_lossy).as_deref() {
                 Some("html" | "htm") => {
-                    self.write_html_report(create(path).await?, report).await?;
+                    let file = create(path).await?;
+                    if write {
+                        self.write_html_report(file, report).await?;
+                    }
                 }
                 Some("json") => {
-                    self.write_json_report(create(path).await?).await?;
+                    let file = create(path).await?;
+                    if write {
+                        self.write_json_report(file).await?;
+                    }
                 }
                 Some("md") => {
-                    self.write_markdown_report(create(path).await?).await?;
+                    let file = create(path).await?;
+                    if write {
+                        self.write_markdown_report(file).await?;
+                    }
                 }
                 None => {
                     return Err(GooseError::InvalidOption {
@@ -3047,6 +3059,16 @@ impl GooseAttack {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Create all requested reports, to ensure we have access.
+    pub(crate) async fn create_reports(&self) -> Result<(), GooseError> {
+        self.process_reports(false).await
+    }
+
+    /// Write all requested reports.
+    pub(crate) async fn write_reports(&self) -> Result<(), GooseError> {
+        self.process_reports(true).await
+    }
+
     /// Write a JSON report.
     pub(crate) async fn write_json_report(&self, report_file: File) -> Result<(), GooseError> {
         let data = common::prepare_data(