diff --git a/docs/rh-log.txt b/docs/rh-log.txt
index f1bf6066d1..d1b7578b44 100644
--- a/docs/rh-log.txt
+++ b/docs/rh-log.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+February 10, 2009
+- Moved the V_InitFontColors() call earlier in the startup sequence so that
+  colored error messages appear colored in the startup window. Also lightened
+  up the "Flat" red to contrast better on the startup background.
+
 February 9, 2009
 - Changed I_InitInput() to acquire the IDirectInput8A interface by using
   DirectInput8Create() instead of CoCreateInstance(). This allows the Steam
diff --git a/src/d_main.cpp b/src/d_main.cpp
index 2fe6785747..4627da8e35 100644
--- a/src/d_main.cpp
+++ b/src/d_main.cpp
@@ -2340,6 +2340,8 @@ void D_DoomMain (void)
 	// [RH] Initialize localizable strings.
 	GStrings.LoadStrings (false);
 
+	V_InitFontColors ();
+
 	// [RH] Moved these up here so that we can do most of our
 	//		startup output in a fullscreen console.
 
diff --git a/src/g_mapinfo.cpp b/src/g_mapinfo.cpp
index 8a480d9841..860d6ac5eb 100644
--- a/src/g_mapinfo.cpp
+++ b/src/g_mapinfo.cpp
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ void FMapInfoParser::ParseOpenBrace()
 	switch(format_type)
 	{
 	default:
-		format_type = sc.CheckString("{")? FMT_New : FMT_Old;
+		format_type = sc.CheckString("{") ? FMT_New : FMT_Old;
 		if (format_type == FMT_New) 
 			sc.SetCMode(true);
 		break;
diff --git a/src/v_font.cpp b/src/v_font.cpp
index 157b7b1e88..b38080b028 100644
--- a/src/v_font.cpp
+++ b/src/v_font.cpp
@@ -2104,7 +2104,6 @@ EColorRange V_ParseFontColor (const BYTE *&color_value, int normalcolor, int bol
 
 void V_InitFonts()
 {
-	V_InitFontColors ();
 	V_InitCustomFonts ();
 
 	// load the heads-up font
diff --git a/src/v_font.h b/src/v_font.h
index e4b917f97f..123b70ff18 100644
--- a/src/v_font.h
+++ b/src/v_font.h
@@ -134,5 +134,6 @@ EColorRange V_FindFontColor (FName name);
 PalEntry V_LogColorFromColorRange (EColorRange range);
 EColorRange V_ParseFontColor (const BYTE *&color_value, int normalcolor, int boldcolor);
 FFont *V_GetFont(const char *);
+void V_InitFontColors();
 
 #endif //__V_FONT_H__
diff --git a/src/win32/i_main.cpp b/src/win32/i_main.cpp
index c6daae8497..2203ed2ba3 100644
--- a/src/win32/i_main.cpp
+++ b/src/win32/i_main.cpp
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ void ShowErrorPane(const char *text)
 	SendMessage (ConWindow, EM_EXGETSEL, 0, (LPARAM)&end);
 	ErrorIconChar = end.cpMax;
 
-	// Now start adding the actualy error message.
+	// Now start adding the actual error message.
 	SendMessage (ConWindow, EM_REPLACESEL, FALSE, (LPARAM)"Execution could not continue.\n\n");
 
 	// Restore old charformat but with light yellow text.
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/textcolors.txt b/wadsrc/static/textcolors.txt
index 7b018525ee..40cb1b8df1 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/textcolors.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/textcolors.txt
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Console:
 	#000000  #7F0000    0 127
 	#FF0000  #FFFEFE  128 256
 Flat:
-	#DD0000
+	#FF5566
 }
 
 Blue