diff --git a/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c b/misc/m.nviz.image/surface.c
index f2b577db295..51322ce9478 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],