diff --git a/src/lib/sixel.c b/src/lib/sixel.c
index e9c5ef63e..c3bd2deb9 100644
--- a/src/lib/sixel.c
+++ b/src/lib/sixel.c
@@ -743,16 +743,10 @@ sixel_blit_inner(int leny, int lenx, sixeltable* stab,
 int sixel_blit(ncplane* n, int linesize, const void* data, int leny, int lenx,
                const blitterargs* bargs, int bpp __attribute__ ((unused))){
   int colorregs = bargs->u.pixel.colorregs;
-  if(colorregs <= 0){
-    return -1;
-  }
   if(colorregs > 256){
     colorregs = 256;
   }
-  // FIXME enforce this in discovery, possibly raising the value
-  if(colorregs < 64){
-    return -1;
-  }
+  assert(colorregs >= 64);
   sixeltable stable = {
     .map = sixelmap_create(colorregs, leny - bargs->begy, lenx - bargs->begx),
     .deets = malloc(colorregs * sizeof(cdetails)),
diff --git a/src/lib/termdesc.c b/src/lib/termdesc.c
index f17fa4432..d2c2588b8 100644
--- a/src/lib/termdesc.c
+++ b/src/lib/termdesc.c
@@ -493,6 +493,9 @@ query_sixel_details(tinfo* ti, int fd){
     return -1;
   }
 //fprintf(stderr, "Sixel ColorRegs: %d Max_x: %d Max_y: %d\n", ti->color_registers, ti->sixel_maxx, ti->sixel_maxy);
+  if(ti->color_registers < 64){ // FIXME try to drive it higher
+    return -1;
+  }
   return 0;
 }