I think that there are one or two solutions for this issue that do not require backing out the semi-automatic header enable (which is sensible, usually.) One solution, perhaps useful in the short term, is to put ".header off" just before your ".mode column" command. I would argue that when -noheader is specified among the sqlite3 invocation arguments, that should have the same effect as the insertion of ".header off" that I suggest above. There may be a reason for this not be be done for the next release, so I do not yet count a revision to effect this as a solid second solution. The disposition for now is: We will consider your problem report and determine whether a code change is warranted.