diff --git a/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/TextItem.py b/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/TextItem.py
index dc240929..96e07456 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/TextItem.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/graphicsItems/TextItem.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ class TextItem(GraphicsObject):
         self._lastTransform = None
         self._bounds = QtCore.QRectF()
         if html is None:
+            self.color = color
             self.setText(text, color)
         else:
             self.setHtml(html)
@@ -63,6 +64,8 @@ class TextItem(GraphicsObject):
         
         This method sets the plain text of the item; see also setHtml().
         """
+        if color != self.color:
+            color = self.color
         color = fn.mkColor(color)
         self.textItem.setDefaultTextColor(color)
         self.textItem.setPlainText(text)
@@ -182,4 +185,4 @@ class TextItem(GraphicsObject):
         
         self.updateTextPos()
 
-        
\ No newline at end of file
+