Driver with open output protection Starting current for a load driver (200; 300) for driving a load (L) is provided via the load. In a load driver (200; 300) for driving a load (L), an operating current or an operating voltage at a reference point is derived from a power voltage bus (105; 305) by coupling said reference point to said power voltage bus via the load. A load driver (200; 300) for driving a load (L) comprises an output capacitor (125; 325) and two output terminals (128, 129; 328, 329) coupled to the output capacitor. A coupling diode (202; 325) is coupled in forward connection from one output terminal to a terminal of the output buffer capacitor. A startup terminal (111) of a converter circuit (110) is coupled to said one output terminal (129; 329) to receive a startup current (Is) via the driven load if the load is present to conduct this current.