diff --git a/R/init-pal.R b/R/init-pal.R
index cf54efd..b8bf8e9 100644
--- a/R/init-pal.R
+++ b/R/init-pal.R
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
     ...,
     .ns = "elmer"
   ) {
-  check_role(role)
+  check_role(role, allow_default = TRUE)
   if (!role %in% list_pals()) {
     cli::cli_abort(c(
       "No pals with role {.arg {role}} registered.",
diff --git a/R/utils.R b/R/utils.R
index 389bcee..ef088fb 100644
--- a/R/utils.R
+++ b/R/utils.R
@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ list_pals <- function() {
 }
 
 # ad-hoc check helpers -------
-check_role <- function(role, call = caller_env()) {
+check_role <- function(role,
+                       allow_default = !is.null(getOption(".pal_on_load")),
+                       call = caller_env()) {
   check_string(role, allow_empty = FALSE, call = call)
 
   if (!is_valid_role(role)) {
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ check_role <- function(role, call = caller_env()) {
     )
   }
 
-  if (role %in% default_roles & is.null(getOption(".pal_on_load"))) {
+  if (role %in% default_roles & !allow_default) {
     cli::cli_abort(
       "Default roles cannot be edited or removed.",
       call = call