diff --git a/src/pixels.cpp b/src/pixels.cpp
index 8ee5fa1..88aba01 100644
--- a/src/pixels.cpp
+++ b/src/pixels.cpp
@@ -14,11 +14,6 @@ void write_image(std::ostream& os, FILE* in) {
         pnm_readpamrow(&info, row1.get());
         if (y < info.height - 1) {
             pnm_readpamrow(&info, row2.get());
-        } else {
-            // fill second row with terminal background color
-            for (int col = 0; col < info.width; ++col) {
-                t2[col][0] = t2[col][1] = t2[col][2] = 0;
-            }
         }
         for (int x = 0; x < info.width; ++x) {
             if (info.depth == 3) { // assume RGB, 1 byte per sample