diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
index 7dce146694..ecdb74f464 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/vca_master_strip.cc
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ VCAMasterStrip::VCAMasterStrip (Session* s, boost::shared_ptr<VCA> v)
 
 	PresentationInfo::color_t c = _vca->presentation_info().color ();
 
-	/* XXX need a (better) test of "has a color" */
+	/* set color for the VCA, if not already done. */
 
-	if (c == 0) {
+	if (!_vca->presentation_info().color_set()) {
 		_vca->presentation_info().set_color (gdk_color_to_rgba (unique_random_color()));
 	}