diff --git a/hybig/browse.py b/hybig/browse.py
index d760cbf..89d9256 100644
--- a/hybig/browse.py
+++ b/hybig/browse.py
@@ -507,9 +507,13 @@ def write_georaster_as_browse(
 
     """
     n_bands = raster.shape[0]
-    dst_nodata = NODATA_IDX
+
     if color_map is not None:
+        dst_nodata = NODATA_IDX
         color_map[dst_nodata] = NODATA_RGBA
+    else:
+        # for banded data set the each band's destination nodata to zero (TRANSPARENT).
+        dst_nodata = TRANSPARENT
 
     creation_options = {
         **grid_parameters,
diff --git a/tests/test_service/test_adapter.py b/tests/test_service/test_adapter.py
index b3bc5cf..f4e87ff 100644
--- a/tests/test_service/test_adapter.py
+++ b/tests/test_service/test_adapter.py
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ def move_tif(*args, **kwargs):
             'transform': expected_transform,
             'driver': 'PNG',
             'dtype': 'uint8',
-            'dst_nodata': 255,
+            'dst_nodata': 0,
             'count': 3,
         }
         raster = convert_mulitband_to_raster(rio_data_array)
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ def move_tif(*args, **kwargs):
                 src_crs=rio_data_array.rio.crs,
                 dst_transform=expected_params['transform'],
                 dst_crs=expected_params['crs'],
-                dst_nodata=255,
+                dst_nodata=expected_params['dst_nodata'],
                 resampling=Resampling.nearest,
             )
             for band in range(4)
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_browse.py b/tests/unit/test_browse.py
index 667ea5c..dc89feb 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_browse.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_browse.py
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def test_create_browse_imagery_with_mocks(
                 src_crs=da_mock.rio.crs,
                 dst_transform=target_transform,
                 dst_crs=CRS.from_string('EPSG:4326'),
-                dst_nodata=255,
+                dst_nodata=0,
                 resampling=Resampling.nearest,
             ),
             call(
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def test_create_browse_imagery_with_mocks(
                 src_crs=da_mock.rio.crs,
                 dst_transform=target_transform,
                 dst_crs=CRS.from_string('EPSG:4326'),
-                dst_nodata=255,
+                dst_nodata=0,
                 resampling=Resampling.nearest,
             ),
             call(
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def test_create_browse_imagery_with_mocks(
                 src_crs=da_mock.rio.crs,
                 dst_transform=target_transform,
                 dst_crs=CRS.from_string('EPSG:4326'),
-                dst_nodata=255,
+                dst_nodata=0,
                 resampling=Resampling.nearest,
             ),
         ]