diff --git a/pytchat_listener.py b/pytchat_listener.py
index 39aee65..1e2bd10 100644
--- a/pytchat_listener.py
+++ b/pytchat_listener.py
@@ -57,10 +57,20 @@ def save_user_colors():
 def get_user_color(author_id):
     global user_color_map
     if author_id not in user_color_map:
-        # Assign a new color from the palette
-        # Cycle through colors, or pick randomly if palette is exhausted
-        next_color_index = len(user_color_map) % len(COLOR_PALETTE)
-        user_color_map[author_id] = COLOR_PALETTE[next_color_index]
+        # Determine which colors are already in use by existing users
+        used_colors = set(user_color_map.values())
+        
+        # Find available colors from the palette that are not yet used
+        available_colors = [color for color in COLOR_PALETTE if color not in used_colors]
+
+        if available_colors: # If there are unused colors in the palette
+            next_color_index = len(user_color_map) % len(available_colors)
+            user_color_map[author_id] = available_colors[next_color_index]
+        else: # If all colors in the palette are already used, cycle through the palette
+            next_color_index = len(user_color_map) % len(COLOR_PALETTE)
+            user_color_map[author_id] = COLOR_PALETTE[next_color_index]
+            console.print("[yellow]Warning: All colors in palette are reserved. Cycling through existing colors.[/yellow]")
+
         save_user_colors() # Save immediately after assigning a new color
     return user_color_map[author_id]
 
@@ -146,4 +156,4 @@ def main():
             console.print(f"[green]Chat log saved to {log_filename}[/green]")
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    main()
+    main()
\ No newline at end of file