diff --git a/src/wireviz/wv_colors.py b/src/wireviz/wv_colors.py
index 41575437..c6b72191 100644
--- a/src/wireviz/wv_colors.py
+++ b/src/wireviz/wv_colors.py
@@ -104,15 +104,18 @@
 def get_color_hex(input, pad=False):
     if input is None or input == '':
         return [color_default]
+
     if len(input) == 4:  # give wires with EXACTLY 2 colors that striped/banded look
-        input = input + input[:2]
-    # hacky style fix: give single color wires a triple-up so that wires are the same size
-    if pad and len(input) == 2:
-        input = input + input + input
+        padded = input + input[:2]
+    elif pad and len(input) == 2: # hacky style fix: give single color wires a triple-up so that wires are the same size
+        padded = input + input + input
+    else:
+        padded = input
+
     try:
-        output = [_color_hex[input[i:i + 2]] for i in range(0, len(input), 2)]
+        output = [_color_hex[padded[i:i + 2]] for i in range(0, len(input), 2)]
     except KeyError:
-        print("Unknown color specified")
+        print(f'Unknown color specified: {input}')
         output = [color_default]
     return output