diff --git a/src/intf.c b/src/intf.c
index 6896fa2..db3021f 100644
--- a/src/intf.c
+++ b/src/intf.c
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ struct convspec {
 ************************************************************************/
 
 WINDOW *curwin = NULL;		// Top-most (current) window
+bool use_color = true;		// True to use colour
 
 
 // Character renditions (attributes) used by Star Traders
@@ -293,7 +294,8 @@ void init_screen (void)
     raw();
 
     // Initialise all character renditions used in the game
-    if (! option_no_color && has_colors()) {
+    use_color = ! option_no_color && has_colors();
+    if (use_color) {
 	start_color();
 
 	init_pair(1,  COLOR_BLACK,  COLOR_WHITE);
@@ -491,6 +493,10 @@ WINDOW *newtxwin (int nlines, int ncols, int begin_y, int begin_x,
 	box(win, 0, 0);
     }
 
+    if (! use_color) {
+	wbkgdset(win, A_NORMAL);
+    }
+
     return win;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/intf.h b/src/intf.h
index 5601ab3..f975dcf 100644
--- a/src/intf.h
+++ b/src/intf.h
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ typedef enum curs_type {
 ************************************************************************/
 
 extern WINDOW *curwin;			// Top-most (current) window
+extern bool use_color;			// True to use colour
 
 
 // Character renditions (attributes) used by Star Traders