diff --git a/watch.c b/watch.c
index c438178f..a73eab59 100644
--- a/watch.c
+++ b/watch.c
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			use_default_colors();
 			init_ansi_colors();
 		} else {
-			flags |= WATCH_COLOR;
+			flags &= ~WATCH_COLOR;
 		}
 	}
 	nonl();