Printer refusing to print in black only without Cyan ink?

[Fun Bus]

I've a quite basic Epson Stylus DX5050. I've plently of black ink but an empty cyan cartridge.

I want to print a basic text letter, in black ink only and I'm being told I can't without replacing the cyan cartridge. It just doesn't make any sense to me at all. Does the printer use a little cyan ink when printing black text?

I've been through the manual, online etc. but no help yet. Any help appreciated!

[Fun Bus]

Hmm, you have confirmed my thoughts! I'll stop being so tight I think.

[Fun Bus]

Cheers cjs.