(normal-top-level): Don't operate on the initial

frame if we failed to create one.

lisp/startup.el

@@ -470,6 +470,10 @@ or `CVS', and any subdirectory that contains a file named `.nosearch'."
 	(run-hooks 'emacs-startup-hook)
 	(and term-setup-hook
 	     (run-hooks 'term-setup-hook))
+
+	;; Don't do this if we failed to create the initial frame,
+	;; for instance due to a dense colormap.
+	(when frame-initial-frame
 	  ;; Modify the initial frame based on what .emacs puts into
 	  ;; ...-frame-alist.
 	  (if (fboundp 'frame-notice-user-settings)
@@ -494,7 +498,7 @@ or `CVS', and any subdirectory that contains a file named `.nosearch'."
 		  (if (string-match "^\\(xterm\\|rxvt\\|dtterm\\|eterm\\)"
 				    term)
 		      (setq frame-background-mode 'light)))
-	      (frame-set-background-mode (selected-frame))))
+		(frame-set-background-mode (selected-frame)))))
 
 	;; Now we know the user's default font, so add it to the menu.
 	(if (fboundp 'font-menu-add-default)