diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 67ed29e..d791339 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ func processLines(header []string, numChars int, config *Config, queue chan [][]
 					arrowBuilder.WriteRow(arrowRow)
 				}
 
-				if !config.noOut {
+				if needsLabels {
 					output.WriteString(chrom)
 					output.WriteByte(tabByte)