diff --git a/src/terminal/screen.c b/src/terminal/screen.c
index 73b16f87..5ea0b3ee 100644
--- a/src/terminal/screen.c
+++ b/src/terminal/screen.c
@@ -539,6 +539,11 @@ set_screen_driver_opt(struct screen_driver *driver, struct option *term_spec)
 		return;
 	}
 #endif
+	if (driver->opt.color_mode == COLOR_MODE_MONO) {
+		driver->opt.terminfo = 0;
+		return;
+	}
+
 	switch (terminfo_max_colors()) {
 	case 88:
 #ifdef CONFIG_88_COLORS