diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 5665f1d3..6e281cfc 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ else
   Q:=
 endif
 
+ifneq ($(COLOR),)
+  CFLAGS += -fdiagnostics-color=always
+endif
+
 # Meta rules
 docgoals := docs userdocs progdocs
 testgoals := check test tests tests_run