diff --git a/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c b/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c
index 58f44d3794a..a4b7c836c8f 100644
--- a/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c
+++ b/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c
@@ -99,14 +99,14 @@ int load_rasters(const struct GParams *params, nv_data *data)
 
     for (i = 0; i < nsurfs; i++) {
         id = surf_list[i];
-        mapset = G_find_raster2(params->color_map->answers[i], "");
-        if (mapset == NULL) {
-            G_fatal_error(_("Raster map <%s> not found"),
-                          params->color_map->answers[i]);
-        }
         /* color */
         /* check for color map */
         if (i < ncolor_map && strcmp(params->color_map->answers[i], "")) {
+            mapset = G_find_raster2(params->color_map->answers[i], "");
+            if (mapset == NULL) {
+                G_fatal_error(_("Raster map <%s> not found"),
+                              params->color_map->answers[i]);
+            }
             Nviz_set_attr(
                 id, MAP_OBJ_SURF, ATT_COLOR, MAP_ATT,
                 G_fully_qualified_name(params->color_map->answers[i], mapset),