diff --git a/i3pystatus/cmus.py b/i3pystatus/cmus.py
index 1b8be5b..dd2cec4 100644
--- a/i3pystatus/cmus.py
+++ b/i3pystatus/cmus.py
@@ -74,9 +74,7 @@ class Cmus(IntervalModule):
         return response
 
     def run(self):
-        self.output = {}
         response = self._query_cmus()
-
         if response:
             fdict = {
                 'file': response.get('file', ''),
@@ -97,12 +95,12 @@ class Cmus(IntervalModule):
                 filename = os.path.basename(fdict['file'])
                 filebase, _ = os.path.splitext(filename)
                 fdict['artist'], fdict['title'] = _extract_artist_title(filebase)
+            self.output = {"full_text": formatp(self.format, **fdict),
+                           "color": self.color}
 
-            self.output['full_text'] = formatp(self.format, **fdict)
-            self.output['color'] = self.color
         else:
-            self.output['full_text'] = self.format_not_running
-            self.output['color'] = self.color_not_running
+            self.output = {"full_text": self.format_not_running,
+                           "color": self.color_not_running}
 
     def playpause(self):
         status = self._query_cmus().get('status', '')