diff --git a/java_console/io/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorExecHelper.java b/java_console/io/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorExecHelper.java
index 0c9924499d..2379d0c879 100644
--- a/java_console/io/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorExecHelper.java
+++ b/java_console/io/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorExecHelper.java
@@ -20,12 +20,11 @@ public class SimulatorExecHelper {
     /**
      * This is currently used by auto-tests only. Todo: reuse same code for UI-launched simulator?
      */
-    private static void runSimulator() {
+    private static void runSimulator(File binary) {
         Thread.currentThread().setName("Main simulation");
         FileLog.MAIN.logLine("runSimulator...");
 
         try {
-            File binary = getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
             FileLog.MAIN.logLine("Binary size: " + binary.length());
 
             FileLog.MAIN.logLine("Executing " + binary.getPath());
@@ -94,10 +93,9 @@ static void destroy() {
     }
 
     public static void startSimulator() {
-        getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
-
         FileLog.MAIN.logLine("startSimulator...");
-        new Thread(SimulatorExecHelper::runSimulator, "simulator process").start();
+        File simulatorBinary = getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
+        new Thread(() -> SimulatorExecHelper.runSimulator(simulatorBinary), "simulator process").start();
     }
 
     public static File getSimulatorBinary(String binaryPath) {
diff --git a/java_console/ui/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorHelper.java b/java_console/ui/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorHelper.java
index 8228917173..09d7b9e6ec 100644
--- a/java_console/ui/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorHelper.java
+++ b/java_console/ui/src/main/java/com/rusefi/SimulatorHelper.java
@@ -21,11 +21,9 @@ public class SimulatorHelper {
      * this code start sumulator for UI console
      * todo: unify with the code which starts simulator for auto tests?
      */
-    private static void startSimulator() {
+    private static void startSimulator(File binary) {
         LinkManager.isSimulationMode = true;
 
-        File binary = SimulatorExecHelper.getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
-
         FileLog.MAIN.logLine("Executing " + binary.getPath());
         THREAD_FACTORY.newThread(new Runnable() {
             @Override
@@ -60,8 +58,9 @@ public void run() {
     }
 
     public static JComponent createSimulatorComponent(final StartupFrame portSelector) {
+        File simulatorBinary;
         try {
-            SimulatorExecHelper.getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
+            simulatorBinary = SimulatorExecHelper.getSimulatorBinary(SIMULATOR_BINARY_PATH);
         } catch (IllegalStateException e) {
             return new JLabel(e.getMessage());
         }
@@ -74,7 +73,7 @@ public static JComponent createSimulatorComponent(final StartupFrame portSelecto
             @Override
             public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event) {
                 portSelector.disposeFrameAndProceed();
-                startSimulator();
+                startSimulator(simulatorBinary);
             }
         });
         setToolTip(simulatorButton, "Connect to totally virtual simulator",