diff --git a/cmd/commands/cmd_import_mission_control.go b/cmd/commands/cmd_import_mission_control.go
index 7f0f656f7..13cffe1ef 100644
--- a/cmd/commands/cmd_import_mission_control.go
+++ b/cmd/commands/cmd_import_mission_control.go
@@ -153,11 +153,6 @@ func loadMissionControl(ctx *cli.Context) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%v does not exist", mcDataPath)
 	}
 
-	conn := getClientConn(ctx, false)
-	defer conn.Close()
-
-	client := routerrpc.NewRouterClient(conn)
-
 	// Load and unmarshal the querymc output file.
 	mcRaw, err := os.ReadFile(mcDataPath)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -171,6 +166,11 @@ func loadMissionControl(ctx *cli.Context) error {
 			err)
 	}
 
+	conn := getClientConn(ctx, false)
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	client := routerrpc.NewRouterClient(conn)
+
 	// We discard mission control data if requested.
 	if ctx.Bool("discard") {
 		if !promptForConfirmation("This will discard all current " +