diff --git a/pywal/backends/wal.py b/pywal/backends/wal.py
index 9d717b5..1a85e17 100644
--- a/pywal/backends/wal.py
+++ b/pywal/backends/wal.py
@@ -35,12 +35,21 @@ def has_im():
 def gen_colors(img):
     """Format the output from imagemagick into a list
        of hex colors."""
-    raw_colors = imagemagick(20, img, has_im())
+    magick_command = has_im()
 
-    if len(raw_colors) < 16:
-        logging.error("Imagemagick couldn't generate a palette.")
-        logging.error("Try a different image or backend.")
-        sys.exit(1)
+    for i in range(0, 20, 1):
+        raw_colors = imagemagick(16 + i, img, magick_command)
+
+        if len(raw_colors) > 16:
+            break
+
+        elif i == 19:
+            logging.error("Imagemagick couldn't generate a suitable palette.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+        else:
+            logging.warning("Imagemagick couldn't generate a palette.")
+            logging.warning("Trying a larger palette size %s", 16 + i)
 
     return [re.search("#.{6}", str(col)).group(0) for col in raw_colors[1:]]