diff --git a/config.cpp b/config.cpp
index 9c23b3e1..b320b337 100644
--- a/config.cpp
+++ b/config.cpp
@@ -374,7 +374,13 @@ struct color_parameter : public val_parameter<color_t> {
     }
 
   cld get_cld() override { return has_alpha ? *value : (*value * 256 + 0xFF); }
-  void load_from_raw(const string& s) override { *value = parsecolor(s, has_alpha); }
+  void load_from_raw(const string& s) override { 
+     try {
+       *value = parsecolor(s, has_alpha);
+     } catch(hr_parse_exception& e) {
+       sscanf(s.c_str(), "%x", value);
+       }
+     }
   string save() override { return has_alpha ? itsh8(*value) : itsh6(*value); }
   shared_ptr<parameter> clone(struct local_parameter_set& lps, void *value) override;
   };