diff --git a/Tools/pynche/Main.py b/Tools/pynche/Main.py
index 3eeccbf..1007838 100644
--- a/Tools/pynche/Main.py
+++ b/Tools/pynche/Main.py
@@ -14,9 +14,13 @@
 least Pmw 0.6.1.  It has only been tested on Solaris 2.6.  Feedback is greatly 
 appreciated.  Send email to bwarsaw@python.org
 
-Usage: %(PROGRAM)s [-h]
+Usage: %(PROGRAM)s [-c color] [-h]
 
 Where:
+    --color color
+    -c color
+        initial color, as an X color name or #RRGGBB format
+
     --help
     -h
         print this message
@@ -71,7 +75,7 @@
 def main():
     global app
 
-    initialcolor = 'grey50'
+    initialcolor = (128, 128, 128)
     try:
 	opts, args = getopt.getopt(sys.argv[1:],
 				   'hc:',
@@ -101,7 +105,18 @@
     app = Pmw.initialise(fontScheme='pmw1')
     app.title('Pynche %s' % __version__)
     app.tk.createtimerhandler(KEEPALIVE_TIMER, keepalive)
-    p = PyncheWidget(colordb, app, color=initialcolor)
+
+    # get triplet for initial color
+    try:
+	red, green, blue = colordb.find_byname(initialcolor)
+    except ColorDB.BadColor:
+	# must be a #rrggbb style color
+	try:
+	    red, green, blue = ColorDB.rrggbb_to_triplet(initialcolor)
+	except ColorDB.BadColor:
+	    usage(1, 'Bad initial color: %s' % initialcolor)
+
+    p = PyncheWidget(colordb, app, color=(red, green, blue))
     try:
 	keepalive()
 	app.mainloop()