diff --git a/unix/gtkwin.c b/unix/gtkwin.c
index 94ba4069..dcff614f 100644
--- a/unix/gtkwin.c
+++ b/unix/gtkwin.c
@@ -3274,6 +3274,7 @@ void do_text_internal(Context ctx, int x, int y, wchar_t *text, int len,
 	else if (nbg >= 256) nbg |= 1;
     }
     if ((attr & TATTR_ACTCURS) && !monochrome) {
+        truecolour.fg = truecolour.bg = optionalrgb_none;
 	nfg = 260;
 	nbg = 261;
     }
diff --git a/windows/window.c b/windows/window.c
index 79738ff9..97c4d462 100644
--- a/windows/window.c
+++ b/windows/window.c
@@ -3429,6 +3429,7 @@ void do_text_internal(Context ctx, int x, int y, wchar_t *text, int len,
     y += offset_height;
 
     if ((attr & TATTR_ACTCURS) && (cursor_type == 0 || term->big_cursor)) {
+        truecolour.fg = truecolour.bg = optionalrgb_none;
 	attr &= ~(ATTR_REVERSE|ATTR_BLINK|ATTR_COLOURS);
 	/* cursor fg and bg */
 	attr |= (260 << ATTR_FGSHIFT) | (261 << ATTR_BGSHIFT);