diff --git a/pre_commit/color.py b/pre_commit/color.py
index 2ede410a..c785e2c9 100644
--- a/pre_commit/color.py
+++ b/pre_commit/color.py
@@ -48,9 +48,6 @@ def use_color(setting):
     if setting not in COLOR_CHOICES:
         raise InvalidColorSetting(setting)
 
-    if os.environ.get('NO_COLOR'):
-        return False
-
     return (
         setting == 'always' or
         (setting == 'auto' and sys.stdout.isatty() and terminal_supports_color)
diff --git a/pre_commit/main.py b/pre_commit/main.py
index 67a67a05..53c2dba5 100644
--- a/pre_commit/main.py
+++ b/pre_commit/main.py
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ os.environ.pop('__PYVENV_LAUNCHER__', None)
 
 def _add_color_option(parser):
     parser.add_argument(
-        '--color', default='auto', type=color.use_color,
+        '--color', default=os.environ.get('PRE_COMMIT_COLOR', 'auto'),
+        type=color.use_color,
         metavar='{' + ','.join(color.COLOR_CHOICES) + '}',
         help='Whether to use color in output.  Defaults to `%(default)s`.',
     )
diff --git a/tests/color_test.py b/tests/color_test.py
index 4ba3f327..6e11765c 100644
--- a/tests/color_test.py
+++ b/tests/color_test.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-import os
 import sys
 
 import mock
@@ -51,18 +50,3 @@ def test_use_color_tty_without_color_support():
 def test_use_color_raises_if_given_shenanigans():
     with pytest.raises(InvalidColorSetting):
         use_color('herpaderp')
-
-
-def test_no_color_env_unset():
-    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, clear=True):
-        assert use_color('always') is True
-
-
-def test_no_color_env_empty():
-    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, NO_COLOR=''):
-        assert use_color('always') is True
-
-
-def test_no_color_env_non_empty():
-    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, NO_COLOR=' '):
-        assert use_color('always') is False