diff --git a/librarian b/librarian
index bbbbd18..a0abf61 100755
--- a/librarian
+++ b/librarian
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ def menutest(s, l):
     global stdscr
     global hb
     stdscr=s
+    curses.use_default_colors() # colours will use terminal defaults
     curses.curs_set(0)
     (rows,cols)=stdscr.getmaxyx()
     # set the default for the browser windows