diff --git a/visidata/cliptext.py b/visidata/cliptext.py
index c99953912..ebd73434e 100644
--- a/visidata/cliptext.py
+++ b/visidata/cliptext.py
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def clipdraw(scr, y, x, s, attr, w=None, clear=True, literal=False, **kwargs):
     return clipdraw_chunks(scr, y, x, chunks, attr, w=w, clear=clear, **kwargs)
 
 
-def clipdraw_chunks(scr, y, x, chunks, cattr:ColorAttr, w=None, clear=True, literal=False, **kwargs):
+def clipdraw_chunks(scr, y, x, chunks, cattr:ColorAttr=ColorAttr(), w=None, clear=True, literal=False, **kwargs):
     '''Draw `chunks` (sequence of (color:str, text:str) as from iterchunks) at (y,x)-(y,x+w) with curses `attr`, clipping with ellipsis char.
        If `clear`, clear whole editing area before displaying.
        Return width drawn (max of w).
diff --git a/visidata/color.py b/visidata/color.py
index 893accdec..b3853f469 100644
--- a/visidata/color.py
+++ b/visidata/color.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def update(self, b:'ColorAttr') -> 'ColorAttr':
     @property
     def attr(self) -> int:
         a = colors._get_colorpair(self.fg, self.bg, self.colorname) | self.attributes
-        assert a > 0, a
+        assert a >= 0, a
         return a
 
 
diff --git a/visidata/tests/test_cliptext.py b/visidata/tests/test_cliptext.py
index 896730251..0fe120356 100644
--- a/visidata/tests/test_cliptext.py
+++ b/visidata/tests/test_cliptext.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def test_clipdraw_chunks(self):
         ]
         scr = Mock()
         scr.getmaxyx.return_value = (80,25)
-        visidata.clipdraw_chunks(scr, 0, 0, prechunks, 0, w=5)
+        visidata.clipdraw_chunks(scr, 0, 0, prechunks, visidata.ColorAttr(), w=5)
         scr.addstr.assert_has_calls([
                 call(0, 0, 'x', 0),
                 call(0, 1, 'jso…', 0),