diff --git a/beets/ui/__init__.py b/beets/ui/__init__.py
index 5e445613f..abd7aa0a5 100644
--- a/beets/ui/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/ui/__init__.py
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ def colorize(color_name, text):
     """Colorize text if colored output is enabled. (Like _colorize but
     conditional.)
     """
-    if config["ui"]["color"]:
+    if config["ui"]["color"] and "NO_COLOR" not in os.environ:
         global COLORS
         if not COLORS:
             # Read all color configurations and set global variable COLORS.
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 9259b5933..d75303799 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Major new features:
 
 * The beets importer UI received a major overhaul. Several new configuration
   options are available for customizing layout and colors: :ref:`ui_options`.
-  :bug:`3721`
+  :bug:`3721` :bug:`5028`
 
 New features: