diff --git a/pre_commit/color.py b/pre_commit/color.py
index 2ede410a..102639ad 100644
--- a/pre_commit/color.py
+++ b/pre_commit/color.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def use_color(setting):
     if setting not in COLOR_CHOICES:
         raise InvalidColorSetting(setting)
 
-    if os.environ.get('NO_COLOR'):
+    if 'NO_COLOR' in os.environ and os.environ['NO_COLOR']:
         return False
 
     return (