diff --git a/src/fe-text/term.c b/src/fe-text/term.c
index 8c3cc95e..ff887a9d 100644
--- a/src/fe-text/term.c
+++ b/src/fe-text/term.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ static void read_settings(void)
 	int old_colors = term_use_colors;
 
 	if (force_colors != settings_get_bool("term_force_colors")) {
-		force_colors = !settings_get_bool("term_force_colors");
+		force_colors = settings_get_bool("term_force_colors");
 		term_force_colors(force_colors);
 	}
 
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ void term_common_init(void)
 	settings_add_bool("lookandfeel", "colors", TRUE);
 	settings_add_bool("lookandfeel", "term_force_colors", FALSE);
 
+	force_colors = FALSE;
 	term_use_colors = term_has_colors() && settings_get_bool("colors");
         read_settings();