diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
index 882c25b4e..9d8f72f2a 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_colors.scss
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ $osd_borders_color: transparentize(black, 0.3);
 $osd_outer_borders_color: transparentize(white, 0.84);
 
 $shadow_color: if($variant == 'light', rgba(0,0,0,0.1), rgba(0,0,0,0.2));
+$system_bg_color: desaturate(#241f31,100%); //neutralize the HIG color
 
 //insensitive state derived colors
 $insensitive_fg_color: mix($fg_color, $bg_color, 50%);
diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_high-contrast-colors.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_high-contrast-colors.scss
index 710179367..b34e0b182 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_high-contrast-colors.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/_high-contrast-colors.scss
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ $osd_borders_color: rgba(0,0,0, 0.7);
 $osd_outer_borders_color: rgba(255,255,255, 0.1);
 
 $shadow_color: rgba(0,0,0, 0.1);
+$system_bg_color: desaturate(#241f31,100%); //neutralize the HIG color
 
 //insensitive state derived colors
 $insensitive_fg_color: mix($fg_color, $bg_color, 50%);
diff --git a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/widgets/_overview.scss b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/widgets/_overview.scss
index 18497de0e..b429bcf0c 100644
--- a/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/widgets/_overview.scss
+++ b/data/theme/gnome-shell-sass/widgets/_overview.scss
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@
 
 #overview {
   spacing: 24px;
-  background-color: transparent;
+}
+
+#overviewGroup {
+  background-color: $system_bg_color;
 }
 
 .overview-controls {