diff --git a/isort/format.py b/isort/format.py
index d621a1832..71ae8ced0 100644
--- a/isort/format.py
+++ b/isort/format.py
@@ -150,7 +150,8 @@ def create_terminal_printer(
         print(no_colorama_message, file=sys.stderr)
         sys.exit(1)
 
-    colorama.init(strip=False)
+    if not colorama_unavailable:
+        colorama.init(strip=False)
     return (
         ColoramaPrinter(error, success, output) if color else BasicPrinter(error, success, output)
     )