diff --git a/src/panels.cpp b/src/panels.cpp
index d91bb5d8b3801..8e27df36f3423 100644
--- a/src/panels.cpp
+++ b/src/panels.cpp
@@ -2202,9 +2202,17 @@ static std::string get_compass_for_direction( const cardinal_direction dir, int
     return ret;
 }
 
-static std::string get_compass_legend( const int max_width )
+std::string display::colorized_compass_text_color( const cardinal_direction dir, int width )
 {
-    int wavail = max_width;
+    if( dir == cardinal_direction::num_cardinal_directions ) {
+        return "";
+    }
+    return get_compass_for_direction( dir, width );
+}
+
+std::string display::colorized_compass_legend_text_color( int width )
+{
+    int wavail = width;
     const monster_visible_info &mon_visible = get_avatar().get_mon_visible();
     //~ Creature name format in compass legend. 1$ = symbol, 2$ = name. ex: "Z shocker zombie"
     const std::string name_fmt = _( "%1$s %2$s" );
@@ -2250,20 +2258,6 @@ static std::string get_compass_legend( const int max_width )
     return enumerate_as_string( names, enumeration_conjunction::none );
 }
 
-std::pair<std::string, nc_color> display::compass_text_color( const cardinal_direction dir,
-        int width )
-{
-    if( dir == cardinal_direction::num_cardinal_directions ) {
-        return { "", c_white };
-    }
-    return { get_compass_for_direction( dir, width ), c_white };
-}
-
-std::pair<std::string, nc_color> display::compass_legend_text_color( int width )
-{
-    return { get_compass_legend( width ), c_white };
-}
-
 static void draw_health_classic( const draw_args &args )
 {
     const avatar &u = args._ava;
diff --git a/src/panels.h b/src/panels.h
index cc57d5462073e..c230f31c2b3ca 100644
--- a/src/panels.h
+++ b/src/panels.h
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ std::pair<std::string, nc_color> safe_mode_text_color( const bool classic_mode )
 std::pair<std::string, nc_color> wind_text_color( const Character &u );
 std::pair<std::string, nc_color> weather_text_color( const Character &u );
 
-// Get visible threats by cardinal direction
-std::pair<std::string, nc_color> compass_text_color( const cardinal_direction dir, int width );
-std::pair<std::string, nc_color> compass_legend_text_color( int width );
+// Get visible threats by cardinal direction - Already colorized
+std::string colorized_compass_text_color( const cardinal_direction dir, int width );
+std::string colorized_compass_legend_text_color( int width );
 
 // Define color for displaying the body temperature
 nc_color bodytemp_color( const Character &u, const bodypart_id &bp );
diff --git a/src/widget.cpp b/src/widget.cpp
index ae33ff3dc472b..eb4687fa9ff4b 100644
--- a/src/widget.cpp
+++ b/src/widget.cpp
@@ -477,6 +477,7 @@ bool widget::uses_text_function()
 std::string widget::color_text_function_string( const avatar &ava )
 {
     std::string ret;
+    bool apply_color = true;
     std::pair<std::string, nc_color> desc;
     // Give a default color (some widget_vars do not define one)
     desc.second = c_light_gray;
@@ -554,21 +555,19 @@ std::string widget::color_text_function_string( const avatar &ava )
             desc = display::wind_text_color( ava );
             break;
         case widget_var::compass_text:
-            // Compass color is specific to individual threats.
-            // Skip colorization.
-            desc = display::compass_text_color( _direction, _width );
-            return desc.first;
+            desc.first = display::colorized_compass_text_color( _direction, _width );
+            apply_color = false; // Already colorized
+            break;
         case widget_var::compass_legend_text:
-            // Compass color is specific to individual threats.
-            // Skip colorization.
-            desc = display::compass_legend_text_color( _width );
-            return desc.first;
+            desc.first = display::colorized_compass_legend_text_color( _width );
+            apply_color = false; // Already colorized
+            break;
         default:
             debugmsg( "Unexpected widget_var %s - no text_color function defined",
                       io::enum_to_string<widget_var>( _var ) );
             return _( "???" );
     }
-    ret += colorize( desc.first, desc.second );
+    ret += apply_color ? colorize( desc.first, desc.second ) : desc.first;
     return ret;
 }