diff --git a/bin/emqx b/bin/emqx
index 63aae6e70..36762f1b1 100755
--- a/bin/emqx
+++ b/bin/emqx
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ REL_DIR="$RUNNER_ROOT_DIR/releases/$REL_VSN"
 
 WHOAMI=$(whoami)
 
-# Make sure log directory exists
-mkdir -p "$RUNNER_LOG_DIR"
-
 # hocon try to read environment variables starting with "EMQX_"
 export HOCON_ENV_OVERRIDE_PREFIX='EMQX_'
 
@@ -262,6 +259,9 @@ if [ "$ES" -ne 0 ]; then
     exit $ES
 fi
 
+# Make sure log directory exists
+mkdir -p "$RUNNER_LOG_DIR"
+
 COMPATIBILITY_CHECK='
     io:format("BEAM_OK~n", []),
     try