diff --git a/eve_combat_watcher.py b/eve_combat_watcher.py
index d610423..b696d8e 100644
--- a/eve_combat_watcher.py
+++ b/eve_combat_watcher.py
@@ -69,11 +69,13 @@ def main():
                  priority="high", tags="crossed_swords")
         return
 
+    w.heartbeat(cp, "combat")                     # announce we're alive first
     gdir = find_gamelogs(cp)
-    if not gdir:
-        sys.exit("Couldn't find Gamelogs dir. Set [combat] gamelogs_dir in config.ini.")
+    while not gdir:                                # don't die if EVE isn't running yet
+        print("[gamelog] no Gamelogs dir yet (EVE not started?) — retrying in 30s")
+        time.sleep(30)
+        gdir = find_gamelogs(cp)
     print(f"[gamelog] watching {gdir}")
-    w.heartbeat(cp, "combat")
     cur = newest(gdir)
     fh = open(cur, "r", encoding="utf-8", errors="ignore") if cur else None
     if fh: