diff --git a/zathura/file-monitor.c b/zathura/file-monitor.c
index 4ef9eee..c64c200 100644
--- a/zathura/file-monitor.c
+++ b/zathura/file-monitor.c
@@ -157,10 +157,6 @@ zathura_filemonitor_new(const char*                file_path,
     return NULL;
   }
 
-  girara_debug("starting file monitor");
-  ZathuraFileMonitor* file_monitor = ZATHURA_FILEMONITOR(ret);
-  ZATHURA_FILEMONITOR_GET_CLASS(file_monitor)->start(file_monitor);
-
-  return file_monitor;
+  return ZATHURA_FILEMONITOR(ret);
 }
 
diff --git a/zathura/zathura.c b/zathura/zathura.c
index 2195871..7fd154e 100644
--- a/zathura/zathura.c
+++ b/zathura/zathura.c
@@ -898,6 +898,9 @@ document_open(zathura_t* zathura, const char* path, const char* uri, const char*
     }
     g_signal_connect(G_OBJECT(zathura->file_monitor.monitor), "reload-file",
                      G_CALLBACK(cb_file_monitor), zathura->ui.session);
+
+    girara_debug("starting file monitor");
+    zathura_filemonitor_start(zathura->file_monitor.monitor);
   }
 
   if (password != NULL) {