diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/server/process.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/server/process.py
index ed930c61f4..0cae41cf86 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/server/process.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/server/process.py
@@ -452,6 +452,9 @@ def connectProcessServer(sockname, featureset):
     # AF_UNIX has path length issues so chdir here to workaround
     cwd = os.getcwd()
 
+    readfd = writefd = readfd1 = writefd1 = readfd2 = writefd2 = None
+    eq = command_chan_recv = command_chan = None
+
     try:
         try:
             os.chdir(os.path.dirname(sockname))
@@ -459,9 +462,6 @@ def connectProcessServer(sockname, featureset):
         finally:
             os.chdir(cwd)
 
-        readfd = writefd = readfd1 = writefd1 = readfd2 = writefd2 = None
-        eq = command_chan_recv = command_chan = None
-
         # Send an fd for the remote to write events to
         readfd, writefd = os.pipe()
         eq = BBUIEventQueue(readfd)