diff --git a/src/lib/fade.c b/src/lib/fade.c
index 02cbcba73..807178ccd 100644
--- a/src/lib/fade.c
+++ b/src/lib/fade.c
@@ -301,8 +301,7 @@ int ncplane_fadein(ncplane* n, const struct timespec* ts, fadecb fader, void* cu
 int ncplane_pulse(ncplane* n, const struct timespec* ts, fadecb fader, void* curry){
   ncfadectx pp;
   int ret;
-  if(!ncplane_notcurses(n)->tcache.caps.rgb &&
-     !ncplane_notcurses(n)->tcache.caps.can_change_colors){ // terminal can't fade
+  if(!notcurses_canfade(ncplane_notcurses(n))){
     return -1;
   }
   if(alloc_ncplane_palette(n, &pp, ts)){