diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
index cbb3b716e..87eed2998 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 // global colors
 $base_color: if($variant == 'light', $light_1, $_base_color_dark);
-$bg_color: if($variant == 'light', $_base_color_light, lighten($base_color, 5%));
+$bg_color: if($variant == 'light', $_base_color_light, #36363a);
 $fg_color: if($variant == 'light', $_base_color_dark, $light_1);
 
 // OSD elements
diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_default-colors.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_default-colors.scss
index bf1854140..a4a2e4ddc 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_default-colors.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_default-colors.scss
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 // Named Colors
 
 // base colors
-$_base_color_dark: desaturate($dark_4, 100%);
-$_base_color_light: desaturate($light_2, 100%);
+$_base_color_dark: #222226;
+$_base_color_light: #fafafb;
 
 // colors for destructive elements
 $destructive_bg_color: if($variant == 'light', $red_3, $red_4);