diff --git a/usr.sbin/sysinst/main.c b/usr.sbin/sysinst/main.c
index 293041428462..f0148b26a497 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/sysinst/main.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/sysinst/main.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/*	$NetBSD: main.c,v 1.32 2023/12/17 18:46:42 martin Exp $	*/
+/*	$NetBSD: main.c,v 1.33 2024/02/21 20:31:57 martin Exp $	*/
 
 /*
  * Copyright 1997 Piermont Information Systems Inc.
@@ -288,8 +288,6 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	if (has_colors()) {
 		start_color();
 		do_coloring(clr_arg.fg,clr_arg.bg);
-	} else {
-		remove_color_options();
 	}
 	msg_window(mainwin);
 
@@ -310,6 +308,10 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	get_kb_encoding();
 	init_lang();
 
+	/* remove some invalid menu entries */
+	if (!has_colors())
+		remove_color_options();
+
 	/* Menu processing */
 	if (partman_go)
 		partman(NULL);