diff --git a/src/k_follower.c b/src/k_follower.c
index aa3b0cef1..f4c96056c 100644
--- a/src/k_follower.c
+++ b/src/k_follower.c
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ UINT16 K_GetEffectiveFollowerColor(UINT16 followercolor, follower_t *follower, U
 {
 	if (followercolor == SKINCOLOR_NONE && follower != NULL) // "Default"
 	{
-		return follower->defaultcolor;
+		followercolor = follower->defaultcolor;
 	}
 
 	if (followercolor > SKINCOLOR_NONE && followercolor < numskincolors) // bog standard