diff --git a/code/unix/sdl_glimp.c b/code/unix/sdl_glimp.c
index e855241f..771bb239 100644
--- a/code/unix/sdl_glimp.c
+++ b/code/unix/sdl_glimp.c
@@ -625,7 +625,6 @@ static int GLW_SetMode( const char *drivername, int mode, qboolean fullscreen )
         tstencilbits = 0;
     }
 
-    sdlcolorbits = 4;
     if (tcolorbits == 24)
         sdlcolorbits = 8;