diff --git a/jupyterlab/commands.py b/jupyterlab/commands.py
index e37b259865a6..b3d0ba6ca856 100644
--- a/jupyterlab/commands.py
+++ b/jupyterlab/commands.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def wait(self):
         proc = self.proc
         kill_event = self._kill_event
         import itertools
-        spinner = itertools.cycle(['-', '/', '|', '\\'])
+        spinner = itertools.cycle(['-', '\\', '|', '/'])
         while proc.poll() is None:
             sys.stdout.write(next(spinner))   # write the next character
             sys.stdout.flush()                # flush stdout buffer (actual character display)