diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 309dea583..b4fe365a4 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ Changes from 0.5.4
           kick default
         * fix bug where certain looped sounds would cause a hang
 		* 64 bit compile fixes
+		* alias models are no longer black on maps with no lighting info
     o qfcc enhancements.
         * conforms better to Objective-C sematics
         * "struct" support closer to that of C (ie, separate namespace)
diff --git a/libs/video/renderer/r_light.c b/libs/video/renderer/r_light.c
index a2e60098c..24678bc05 100644
--- a/libs/video/renderer/r_light.c
+++ b/libs/video/renderer/r_light.c
@@ -423,8 +423,10 @@ R_LightPoint (const vec3_t p)
 	vec3_t      end;
 	int         r;
 
-	if (!r_worldentity.model->lightdata)
+	if (!r_worldentity.model->lightdata) {
+		ambientcolor[2] = ambientcolor[1] = ambientcolor[0] = 255;
 		return 255;
+	}
 
 	end[0] = p[0];
 	end[1] = p[1];