diff --git a/pre_commit/color.py b/pre_commit/color.py
index c785e2c9..2ede410a 100644
--- a/pre_commit/color.py
+++ b/pre_commit/color.py
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ def use_color(setting):
     if setting not in COLOR_CHOICES:
         raise InvalidColorSetting(setting)
 
+    if os.environ.get('NO_COLOR'):
+        return False
+
     return (
         setting == 'always' or
         (setting == 'auto' and sys.stdout.isatty() and terminal_supports_color)
diff --git a/tests/color_test.py b/tests/color_test.py
index 6e11765c..4ba3f327 100644
--- a/tests/color_test.py
+++ b/tests/color_test.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
+import os
 import sys
 
 import mock
@@ -50,3 +51,18 @@ def test_use_color_tty_without_color_support():
 def test_use_color_raises_if_given_shenanigans():
     with pytest.raises(InvalidColorSetting):
         use_color('herpaderp')
+
+
+def test_no_color_env_unset():
+    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, clear=True):
+        assert use_color('always') is True
+
+
+def test_no_color_env_empty():
+    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, NO_COLOR=''):
+        assert use_color('always') is True
+
+
+def test_no_color_env_non_empty():
+    with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, NO_COLOR=' '):
+        assert use_color('always') is False