diff --git a/web/src/stream_color.js b/web/src/stream_color.js
index a6d338e9c1..8443b30220 100644
--- a/web/src/stream_color.js
+++ b/web/src/stream_color.js
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export function set_colorpicker_color(colorpicker, color) {
     });
 }
 
-export function update_stream_color(sub, color, {update_historical = false} = {}) {
+export function update_stream_color(sub, color) {
     sub.color = color;
     const stream_id = sub.stream_id;
     // The swatch in the subscription row header.
@@ -91,9 +91,7 @@ export function update_stream_color(sub, color, {update_historical = false} = {}
         )}'] .large-icon`,
     ).css("color", color);
 
-    if (update_historical) {
-        update_historical_message_color(sub.name, color);
-    }
+    update_historical_message_color(sub.name, color);
     update_stream_privacy_color(stream_id, color);
     message_view_header.colorize_message_view_header();
 }
diff --git a/web/src/stream_events.js b/web/src/stream_events.js
index 4dcc805cdf..89bc98cb8c 100644
--- a/web/src/stream_events.js
+++ b/web/src/stream_events.js
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export function update_property(stream_id, property, value, other_values) {
 
     switch (property) {
         case "color":
-            stream_color.update_stream_color(sub, value, {update_historical: true});
+            stream_color.update_stream_color(sub, value);
             break;
         case "in_home_view":
             // Legacy in_home_view events are only sent as duplicates of
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ export function mark_subscribed(sub, subscribers, color) {
     // If the backend sent us a color, use that
     if (color !== undefined && sub.color !== color) {
         sub.color = color;
-        stream_color.update_stream_color(sub, color, {update_historical: true});
+        stream_color.update_stream_color(sub, color);
     } else if (sub.color === undefined) {
         // If the backend didn't, and we have a color already, send
         // the backend that color.  It's not clear this code path is