diff --git a/pylib/anki/collection.py b/pylib/anki/collection.py
index 833c474b53e..6a3e94bf9fe 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/collection.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/collection.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 from anki.decks import DeckManager
 from anki.errors import AnkiError
 from anki.lang import _
-from anki.media import MediaManager
+from anki.media import MediaManager, media_paths_from_col_path
 from anki.models import ModelManager
 from anki.notes import Note
 from anki.rsbackend import TR, DBError, RustBackend
@@ -41,18 +41,19 @@ class _Collection:
 
     def __init__(
         self,
-        db: DBProxy,
-        backend: RustBackend,
+        path: str,
+        backend: Optional[RustBackend],
         server: bool = False,
         log: bool = False,
     ) -> None:
-        self.backend = backend
-        self._debugLog = log
-        self.db = db
-        self.path = db._path
-        self._openLog()
-        self.log(self.path, anki.version)
+        self.backend = backend or RustBackend(server=server)
+        self.db = None
+        self._should_log = log
         self.server = server
+        self.path = os.path.abspath(path)
+        self.reopen()
+
+        self.log(self.path, anki.version)
         self._lastSave = time.time()
         self.clearUndo()
         self.media = MediaManager(self, server)
@@ -219,6 +220,24 @@ def rollback(self) -> None:
         self.db.rollback()
         self.db.begin()
 
+    def reopen(self) -> None:
+        assert not self.db
+        assert self.path.endswith(".anki2")
+
+        (media_dir, media_db) = media_paths_from_col_path(self.path)
+
+        log_path = ""
+        should_log = not self.server and self._should_log
+        if should_log:
+            log_path = self.path.replace(".anki2", "2.log")
+
+        # connect
+        self.backend.open_collection(self.path, media_dir, media_db, log_path)
+        self.db = DBProxy(weakref.proxy(self.backend))
+        self.db.begin()
+
+        self._openLog()
+
     def modSchema(self, check: bool) -> None:
         "Mark schema modified. Call this first so user can abort if necessary."
         if not self.schemaChanged():
@@ -586,7 +605,7 @@ def optimize(self) -> None:
     ##########################################################################
 
     def log(self, *args, **kwargs) -> None:
-        if not self._debugLog:
+        if not self._should_log:
             return
 
         def customRepr(x):
@@ -606,7 +625,7 @@ def customRepr(x):
             print(buf)
 
     def _openLog(self) -> None:
-        if not self._debugLog:
+        if not self._should_log:
             return
         lpath = re.sub(r"\.anki2$", ".log", self.path)
         if os.path.exists(lpath) and os.path.getsize(lpath) > 10 * 1024 * 1024:
@@ -617,7 +636,7 @@ def _openLog(self) -> None:
         self._logHnd = open(lpath, "a", encoding="utf8")
 
     def _closeLog(self) -> None:
-        if not self._debugLog:
+        if not self._should_log:
             return
         self._logHnd.close()
         self._logHnd = None
diff --git a/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py b/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
index 3c989720d80..e555c74b359 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
@@ -21,9 +21,8 @@ class DBProxy:
     # Lifecycle
     ###############
 
-    def __init__(self, backend: anki.rsbackend.RustBackend, path: str) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, backend: anki.rsbackend.RustBackend) -> None:
         self._backend = backend
-        self._path = path
         self.mod = False
         self.last_begin_at = 0
 
diff --git a/pylib/anki/storage.py b/pylib/anki/storage.py
index 1ab88f9550f..2fa407f673f 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/storage.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/storage.py
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-import os
-import weakref
 from typing import Optional
 
 from anki.collection import _Collection
-from anki.dbproxy import DBProxy
-from anki.media import media_paths_from_col_path
 from anki.rsbackend import RustBackend
 
 
@@ -18,22 +14,4 @@ def Collection(
     log: bool = False,
 ) -> _Collection:
     "Open a new or existing collection. Path must be unicode."
-    assert path.endswith(".anki2")
-    if backend is None:
-        backend = RustBackend(server=server)
-
-    (media_dir, media_db) = media_paths_from_col_path(path)
-    log_path = ""
-    should_log = not server and log
-    if should_log:
-        log_path = path.replace(".anki2", "2.log")
-    path = os.path.abspath(path)
-
-    # connect
-    backend.open_collection(path, media_dir, media_db, log_path)
-    db = DBProxy(weakref.proxy(backend), path)
-
-    # add db to col and do any remaining upgrades
-    col = _Collection(db, backend=backend, server=server)
-    db.begin()
-    return col
+    return _Collection(path, backend, server, log)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index 0a70d3e5a10..6386de29d7d 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -505,12 +505,12 @@ def loadCollection(self) -> bool:
         return True
 
     def _loadCollection(self):
-        self.reopen()
+        cpath = self.pm.collectionPath()
+        self.col = Collection(cpath, backend=self.backend, log=True)
         self.setEnabled(True)
 
     def reopen(self):
-        cpath = self.pm.collectionPath()
-        self.col = Collection(cpath, backend=self.backend, log=True)
+        self.col.reopen()
 
     def unloadCollection(self, onsuccess: Callable) -> None:
         def callback():