diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl-list-units.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl-list-units.c
index fe1bf2f0a56..80defede911 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl-list-units.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl-list-units.c
@@ -200,13 +200,11 @@ static int output_units_list(const UnitInfo *unit_infos, size_t c) {
                              "SUB    = The low-level unit activation state, values depend on unit type.");
                         if (job_count > 0)
                                 puts("JOB    = Pending job for the unit.\n");
-                        on = ansi_highlight();
-                        off = ansi_normal();
-                } else {
-                        on = ansi_highlight_red();
-                        off = ansi_normal();
                 }
 
+                on = records > 0 ? ansi_highlight() : ansi_highlight_red();
+                off = ansi_normal();
+
                 if (arg_all || strv_contains(arg_states, "inactive"))
                         printf("%s%zu loaded units listed.%s\n"
                                "To show all installed unit files use 'systemctl list-unit-files'.\n",