diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell.css b/data/theme/gnome-shell.css
index 070d082c8..110a6c333 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell.css
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell.css
@@ -396,7 +396,6 @@ StTooltip StLabel {
 
 #overview {
     spacing: 12px;
-    background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
 }
 
 .window-caption {
diff --git a/js/ui/overview.js b/js/ui/overview.js
index 4ecc378d8..9da431a13 100644
--- a/js/ui/overview.js
+++ b/js/ui/overview.js
@@ -603,6 +603,12 @@ Overview.prototype = {
                            onCompleteScope: this
                          });
 
+        Tweener.addTween(this._background,
+                         { dim_factor: 0.4,
+                           time: ANIMATION_TIME,
+                           transition: 'easeOutQuad'
+                         });
+
         this._coverPane.raise_top();
         this._coverPane.show();
         this.emit('showing');
@@ -733,6 +739,12 @@ Overview.prototype = {
                            onCompleteScope: this
                          });
 
+        Tweener.addTween(this._background,
+                         { dim_factor: 1.0,
+                           time: ANIMATION_TIME,
+                           transition: 'easeOutQuad'
+                         });
+
         this._coverPane.raise_top();
         this._coverPane.show();
         this.emit('hiding');