diff --git a/files/acme_renew_cert.py b/files/acme_renew_cert.py
index 8eedd39..e41781e 100755
--- a/files/acme_renew_cert.py
+++ b/files/acme_renew_cert.py
@@ -288,10 +288,10 @@ class Domain(PrivateKey):
         try:
             with open(self.csr, 'rb') as pem_in:
                 csr = pem_in.read()
-            csr_pem = crypto.load_certificate_request(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, csr)
         except IOError as e:
             logging.warning(f"Unable to load CSR file: {e}")
             csr = self.create_csr()
+        csr_pem = crypto.load_certificate_request(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, csr)
 
         logging.info("Checking if CSR contains all the domains")
         domain_names = set()