diff --git a/src/buffer.c b/src/buffer.c
index 89dedc5..26d7723 100644
--- a/src/buffer.c
+++ b/src/buffer.c
@@ -1615,11 +1615,14 @@
 #if defined(FEAT_AUTOCHDIR) || defined(PROTO)
 /*
  * Change to the directory of the current buffer.
+ * Don't do this while still starting up.
  */
     void
 do_autochdir(void)
 {
-    if (curbuf->b_ffname != NULL && vim_chdirfile(curbuf->b_ffname) == OK)
+    if (starting == 0
+	    && curbuf->b_ffname != NULL
+	    && vim_chdirfile(curbuf->b_ffname) == OK)
 	shorten_fnames(TRUE);
 }
 #endif