diff --git a/genesis/options/surfaces.py b/genesis/options/surfaces.py
index 789e1c644a..503aa38e78 100644
--- a/genesis/options/surfaces.py
+++ b/genesis/options/surfaces.py
@@ -641,7 +641,9 @@ def requires_uv(self) -> bool:
         )
 
     def get_rgba(self, batch: bool = False) -> BatchTexture | Texture:
-        color = self.emissive_texture if self.emissive_texture is not None else self.diffuse_texture
+        color = self.diffuse_texture
+        if (color is None or color.is_black) and self.emissive_texture is not None:
+            color = self.emissive_texture
         return _make_rgba(color, self.opacity_texture, batch)
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
diff --git a/tests/test_misc.py b/tests/test_misc.py
index 790dff966b..bfb72f3967 100644
--- a/tests/test_misc.py
+++ b/tests/test_misc.py
@@ -234,6 +234,40 @@ class Wrapper(BaseModel):
         gs.surfaces.Glass(thickness=0.02, thickness_texture=ColorTexture(color=(0.05,)))
 
 
+@pytest.mark.required
+def test_bsdf_rgba_prefers_base_color_over_emissive_texture():
+    diffuse = gs.textures.ImageTexture(image_array=np.full((4, 4, 3), (201, 166, 105), dtype=np.uint8))
+    opacity = gs.textures.ImageTexture(image_array=np.full((4, 4), 255, dtype=np.uint8))
+    emissive = gs.textures.ImageTexture(image_array=np.full((2, 2, 3), 9, dtype=np.uint8))
+
+    rgba = gs.surfaces.BSDF(
+        diffuse_texture=diffuse,
+        opacity_texture=opacity,
+        emissive_texture=emissive,
+    ).get_rgba()
+
+    assert rgba.image_array.shape == (4, 4, 4)
+    assert np.array_equal(rgba.image_array[..., :3], diffuse.image_array)
+    assert np.array_equal(rgba.image_array[..., 3], opacity.image_array)
+
+    black_diffuse = gs.textures.ImageTexture(
+        image_array=np.full((2, 2, 3), (201, 166, 105), dtype=np.uint8),
+        image_color=(0.0, 0.0, 0.0),
+    )
+    emissive_terrain = gs.textures.ImageTexture(image_array=np.full((2, 2, 3), (76, 122, 64), dtype=np.uint8))
+    rgba = gs.surfaces.BSDF(
+        diffuse_texture=black_diffuse,
+        opacity_texture=gs.textures.ImageTexture(image_array=np.full((2, 2), 255, dtype=np.uint8)),
+        emissive_texture=emissive_terrain,
+    ).get_rgba()
+
+    assert np.array_equal(rgba.image_array[..., :3], emissive_terrain.image_array)
+
+    rgba = gs.surfaces.BSDF(color=(0.0, 0.0, 0.0)).get_rgba()
+
+    assert rgba.color == (0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.required
 def test_fps_algorithm_core():
     # Shape, dtype, determinism, anchor-on-no-seed, and invalid n_samples all in one test.