diff --git a/src/block.c b/src/block.c
index 7a72c0c0..792a06e3 100644
--- a/src/block.c
+++ b/src/block.c
@@ -163,7 +163,8 @@ block_update_plain_text(struct block *block, char *buf)
                 return;
 
 	linecpy(&lines, props->short_text, sizeof(props->short_text) - 1);
-	linecpy(&lines, props->color, sizeof(props->color) - 1);
+	if (*lines)
+		linecpy(&lines, props->color, sizeof(props->color) - 1);
 }
 
 static void