diff --git a/src/pv/format/sgr.c b/src/pv/format/sgr.c
index ffea78f..35cf1e6 100644
--- a/src/pv/format/sgr.c
+++ b/src/pv/format/sgr.c
@@ -104,10 +104,11 @@ size_t pv_formatter_sgr(pvformatter_args_t args)
 
 	/* flawfinder - null-terminated and bounded with pv_snprintf(). */
 
-	args->display->format_uses_colour = true;
-
 	if (!args->display->colour_permitted)
 		return 0;
+
+	args->display->format_uses_colour = true;
+
 	if (!args->state->control.can_display_colour)
 		return 0;
 	if (NULL == args->segment->string_parameter)