diff --git a/libs/video/targets/vid_common_sw32.c b/libs/video/targets/vid_common_sw32.c
index 033f9d9ad..37bca3d0e 100644
--- a/libs/video/targets/vid_common_sw32.c
+++ b/libs/video/targets/vid_common_sw32.c
@@ -197,6 +197,9 @@ void
 VID_MakeColormaps (int fullbrights, byte *pal)
 {
 	vid.fullbright = fullbrights;
+	vid.colormap8 = malloc (256*VID_GRADES * sizeof (byte));
+	vid.colormap16 = malloc (256*VID_GRADES * sizeof (short));
+	vid.colormap32 = malloc (256*VID_GRADES * sizeof (int));
 	VID_MakeColormap8(vid.colormap8, pal);
 	VID_MakeColormap16(vid.colormap16, pal);
 	VID_MakeColormap32(vid.colormap32, pal);