diff --git a/pattern2.cpp b/pattern2.cpp
index 03b1f479..393f28c1 100644
--- a/pattern2.cpp
+++ b/pattern2.cpp
@@ -1623,6 +1623,10 @@ EX namespace patterns {
           }
         return res;
         }
+      case 'k': {
+        /* just keep the old color */
+        return c->landparam;
+        }
       }
     return canvasback;
     }