diff --git a/src/legacy/core_plugins/kbn_vislib_vis_types/public/components/options/gauge/ranges_panel.tsx b/src/legacy/core_plugins/kbn_vislib_vis_types/public/components/options/gauge/ranges_panel.tsx
index e1dad7442f0aa..d22d1b8ee4b64 100644
--- a/src/legacy/core_plugins/kbn_vislib_vis_types/public/components/options/gauge/ranges_panel.tsx
+++ b/src/legacy/core_plugins/kbn_vislib_vis_types/public/components/options/gauge/ranges_panel.tsx
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ function RangesPanel({
   uiState,
   vis,
 }: GaugeOptionsInternalProps) {
-  const [isCustomColors, setIsCustomColors] = useState(false);
+  const [isCustomColors, setIsCustomColors] = useState(() => !!uiState.get('vis.colors'));
 
   useEffect(() => {
     uiState.on('colorChanged', () => {