diff --git a/usr/lib/byobu/time_utc b/usr/lib/byobu/time_utc
index ea118c4c..e5249565 100755
--- a/usr/lib/byobu/time_utc
+++ b/usr/lib/byobu/time_utc
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 #    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 #    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+color 2>/dev/null || color() { true; }
+
 case "$1" in
 	--detail)
 		date -u