diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0d470a3..a2da511 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -451,29 +451,6 @@ fi
 
 AM_CONDITIONAL(BUILD_AV, test "x$BUILD_AV" = "xyes")
 
-# check for ncurses default colour capabilities
-NATIVE_COLOURS="no"
-AC_ARG_ENABLE([native-colours],
-    [AC_HELP_STRING(
-        [--enable-native-colours], [use terminal-default fg/bg colours])
-    ],
-    [
-        if test "x$enableval" = "xno"; then
-            NATIVE_COLOURS="no"
-        elif test "x$enableval" = "xyes"; then
-            NATIVE_COLOURS="yes"
-        fi
-    ]
-)
-if test "x$NATIVE_COLOURS" = "xyes"; then
-    AC_CHECK_LIB([ncurses], [assume_default_colors],
-        [AC_DEFINE(
-            [TOXIC_NATIVE_COLOURS], [1], [use terminal-default fg/bg colours])
-        ],
-        [AC_MSG_WARN([curses library does not support native colours])]
-    )
-fi
-
 TOXIC_VERSION="$PACKAGE_VERSION"
 AC_PATH_PROG([GIT], [git], [no])
 if test "x$GIT" != "xno"; then
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 3e60517..4d394ee 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -110,10 +110,12 @@ static void init_term(void)
     if (has_colors()) {
         short bg_color = COLOR_BLACK;
         start_color();
-#ifdef TOXIC_NATIVE_COLOURS
-        if (assume_default_colors(-1,-1) == OK)
-            bg_color = -1;
-#endif
+
+        if (user_settings->colour_theme == NATIVE_COLS) {
+            if (assume_default_colors(-1,-1) == OK)
+                bg_color = -1;
+        }
+
         init_pair(0, COLOR_WHITE, COLOR_BLACK);
         init_pair(1, COLOR_GREEN, bg_color);
         init_pair(2, COLOR_CYAN, bg_color);
diff --git a/src/settings.c b/src/settings.c
index df3d0b0..a4f85a1 100644
--- a/src/settings.c
+++ b/src/settings.c
@@ -61,8 +61,10 @@ static void uset_time(struct user_settings *s, int val)
 
 static void uset_alerts(struct user_settings *s, int val) 
 {
+    /* alerts default on if invalid value */
     s->alerts = val == ALERTS_DISABLED ? ALERTS_DISABLED : ALERTS_ENABLED;
 }
+
 static void uset_colours(struct user_settings *s, int val)
 {
     /* use default toxic colours if invalid value */