diff --git a/artistools/spectra/plotspectra.py b/artistools/spectra/plotspectra.py
index 6b9cf43a8..61f734306 100755
--- a/artistools/spectra/plotspectra.py
+++ b/artistools/spectra/plotspectra.py
@@ -694,15 +694,19 @@ def make_emissionabsorption_plot(
                 linecolor = emissioncomponentplot.get_color()
             else:
                 linecolor = None
-            plotobjects.append(mpatches.Patch(color=linecolor))
 
             if args.showabsorption:
-                axis.plot(
+                (absorptioncomponentplot,) = axis.plot(
                     arraylambda_angstroms,
                     -x.array_flambda_absorption * scalefactor,
                     color=linecolor,
                     linewidth=1,
                 )
+                if not args.showemission:
+                    linecolor = absorptioncomponentplot.get_color()
+
+            plotobjects.append(mpatches.Patch(color=linecolor))
+
     elif contributions_sorted_reduced:
         if args.showemission:
             stackplot = axis.stackplot(
diff --git a/artistools/spectra/spectra.py b/artistools/spectra/spectra.py
index 8be32360b..2932d8629 100644
--- a/artistools/spectra/spectra.py
+++ b/artistools/spectra/spectra.py
@@ -1090,7 +1090,9 @@ def get_emprocesslabel(emtype: int) -> str:
                 )
             )
 
-    assert array_flambda_emission_total is not None
+    if array_flambda_emission_total is None:
+        array_flambda_emission_total = np.zeros_like(array_lambda, dtype=float)
+
     assert array_lambda is not None
 
     return contribution_list, array_flambda_emission_total, array_lambda