diff --git a/src/kits/interface/StatusBar.cpp b/src/kits/interface/StatusBar.cpp
index 8a43076f42..2966255a1b 100644
--- a/src/kits/interface/StatusBar.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/interface/StatusBar.cpp
@@ -382,10 +382,11 @@ BStatusBar::MessageReceived(BMessage *message)
 
 		case B_COLORS_UPDATED:
 		{
-			// Change the bar color IF we don't have an application-set color.
-			if ((fInternalFlags & kCustomBarColor) == 0) {
-				message->FindColor(ui_color_name(B_STATUS_BAR_COLOR),
-					&fBarColor);
+			rgb_color color;
+			if (message->FindColor(ui_color_name(B_STATUS_BAR_COLOR), &color) == B_OK) {
+				// Change the bar color IF we don't have an application-set color.
+				if ((fInternalFlags & kCustomBarColor) == 0)
+					fBarColor = color;
 			}
 
 			break;