diff --git a/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_run.py b/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_run.py
index 8de455c..6f724c0 100644
--- a/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_run.py
+++ b/qubesadmin/tools/qvm_run.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def main(args=None, app=None):
     if args.color_output is None and args.filter_esc:
         args.color_output = '31'
 
-    if args.color_output is None and os.isatty(sys.stderr.fileno()):
+    if args.color_stderr is None and os.isatty(sys.stderr.fileno()):
         args.color_stderr = 31
 
     if len(args.domains) > 1 and args.passio and not args.localcmd: