Disclosed is a photographic element comprising a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a cyan coupler having the formula: wherein: V is a sulfone or sulfoxide containing group; Y is H or a coupling-off group; W2 represents the atoms necessary to complete a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring group; each Z″, Z* and Z# is an independently selected substituent group where n and r are independently 0 to 4 and p is 0 to 2; and X is a halogen atom, and s is 1 to 5; provided that the combined sum of the aliphatic carbon atoms in V, all Z″, all Z#, and all Z* is at least 8. The element exhibits improved cyan dye stability.