diff --git a/python/shotgun_desktop/splash.py b/python/shotgun_desktop/splash.py
index 4bef3f54..35818dcf 100644
--- a/python/shotgun_desktop/splash.py
+++ b/python/shotgun_desktop/splash.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def __init__(self, parent=None):
         """
         Constructor. Widget is initially hidden.
         """
-        QtGui.QDialog.__init__(self, parent)
+        super().__init__(parent)
 
         self.ui = splash.Ui_Splash()
         self.ui.setupUi(self)
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def show(self):
         """
         Shows the dialog of top of all other dialogs.
         """
-        QtGui.QDialog.show(self)
+        super().show()
         self.raise_()
         self.activateWindow()
 
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@ def hide(self):
         # There's no sense showing the previous message when we show the
         # splash next time.
         self.set_message("")
-        QtGui.QDialog.hide(self)
+        super().hide()
diff --git a/python/shotgun_desktop/startup.py b/python/shotgun_desktop/startup.py
index 87016494..e009dacc 100644
--- a/python/shotgun_desktop/startup.py
+++ b/python/shotgun_desktop/startup.py
@@ -321,8 +321,6 @@ def __restart_app_with_countdown(splash, reason):
     # splash screen that from the user point of view looks like the app is redoing work
     # it already did by mistake. This makes the behavior explicit.
     splash.show()
-    splash.raise_()
-    splash.activateWindow()
     for i in range(3, 0, -1):
         splash.set_message("%s Restarting in %d seconds..." % (reason, i))
         time.sleep(1)
@@ -877,6 +875,9 @@ def main(**kwargs):
     else:
         splash.set_version(app_bootstrap.get_version())
 
+    splash.set_message("Loading the application...")
+    splash.show()
+
     # We might crash before even initializing the authenticator, so instantiate
     # it right away.
     shotgun_authenticator = None