diff --git a/shade_ms/data_plots.py b/shade_ms/data_plots.py
index 07751aa..b498721 100644
--- a/shade_ms/data_plots.py
+++ b/shade_ms/data_plots.py
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ def decimate_list(x, maxel):
             ax.set_yticks(range(n), minor=True)
 
     # colorbar?
-    if color_minmax:
+    if color_minmax and not options.nocolourbar: 
         import matplotlib.colors
         # discrete axis
         if caxis is not None and cdatum.is_discrete: