diff --git a/redbot/core/bot.py b/redbot/core/bot.py
index 078932d81..e99eecfa1 100644
--- a/redbot/core/bot.py
+++ b/redbot/core/bot.py
@@ -216,7 +216,6 @@ class Red(
 
         self._uptime = None
         self._checked_time_accuracy = None
-        self._color = discord.Embed.Empty  # This is needed or color ends up 0x000000
 
         self._main_dir = bot_dir
         self._cog_mgr = CogManager()
@@ -1044,6 +1043,7 @@ class Red(
         """
         await self._maybe_update_config()
         self.description = await self._config.description()
+        self._color = discord.Colour(await self._config.color())
 
         init_global_checks(self)
         init_events(self, self._cli_flags)
diff --git a/redbot/core/events.py b/redbot/core/events.py
index e4372ee70..8f15fec63 100644
--- a/redbot/core/events.py
+++ b/redbot/core/events.py
@@ -188,7 +188,6 @@ def init_events(bot, cli_flags):
         if rich_outdated_message:
             rich_console.print(rich_outdated_message)
 
-        bot._color = discord.Colour(await bot._config.color())
         bot._red_ready.set()
         if outdated_red_message:
             await send_to_owners_with_prefix_replaced(bot, outdated_red_message)