diff --git a/java/src/org/openqa/selenium/os/ExternalProcess.java b/java/src/org/openqa/selenium/os/ExternalProcess.java
index f74678a9b04ef..70a475b4dd0a4 100644
--- a/java/src/org/openqa/selenium/os/ExternalProcess.java
+++ b/java/src/org/openqa/selenium/os/ExternalProcess.java
@@ -198,10 +198,10 @@ public ExternalProcess start() throws UncheckedIOException {
 
         new Thread(
                 () -> {
-                  InputStream input = process.getInputStream();
                   // use the CircularOutputStream as mandatory, we know it will never raise a
                   // IOException
-                  try (OutputStream output = new MultiOutputStream(circular, copyOutputTo)) {
+                  OutputStream output = new MultiOutputStream(circular, copyOutputTo);
+                  try (InputStream input = process.getInputStream()) {
                     // we must read the output to ensure the process will not lock up
                     input.transferTo(output);
                   } catch (IOException ex) {