diff --git a/src/job.c b/src/job.c
index 31f0260..7cce611 100644
--- a/src/job.c
+++ b/src/job.c
@@ -548,13 +548,13 @@
 		    break;
 
 		if (item == NULL || item->v_type != VAR_LIST
-			|| item->vval.v_list == NULL)
+			|| item->vval.v_list == NULL
+			|| item->vval.v_list->lv_first == &range_list_item)
 		{
 		    semsg(_(e_invalid_value_for_argument_str), "ansi_colors");
 		    return FAIL;
 		}
 
-		CHECK_LIST_MATERIALIZE(item->vval.v_list);
 		li = item->vval.v_list->lv_first;
 		for (; li != NULL && n < 16; li = li->li_next, n++)
 		{