diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index 1a8aa51db..c401de597 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -995,6 +995,7 @@ pyrolisks get a mundane bite attack
 chances of random item being an artifact depends on already existing artifacts
 monsters can zap wands of teleportation at hero
 piranhas devour corpses
+turn on menucolors boolean automatically if any menucolors are defined
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x Problems that Were Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/src/options.c b/src/options.c
index 36eb69f5f..f6a7aed5c 100644
--- a/src/options.c
+++ b/src/options.c
@@ -5517,11 +5517,6 @@ handler_menu_colors(void)
             if (iflags.perm_invent)
                 update_inventory();
 
-        /* menu colors aren't being used yet; if any MENUCOLOR rules are
-           defined, remind player how to activate them */
-        } else if (nmc > 0) {
-            pline(
-    "To have menu colors become active, toggle 'menucolors' option to True.");
         }
         return optn_ok;
 
@@ -7252,6 +7247,7 @@ add_menu_coloring_parsed(const char *str, int c, int a)
     tmp->color = c;
     tmp->attr = a;
     g.menu_colorings = tmp;
+    iflags.use_menu_color = TRUE;
     return TRUE;
 }