diff --git a/usr/lib/byobu/color b/usr/lib/byobu/color
index 6325739d..df421ff3 100755
--- a/usr/lib/byobu/color
+++ b/usr/lib/byobu/color
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ __color_detail() {
 }
 
 __color() {
+	[ -z "$FOREGROUND" ] && FOREGROUND="w"
+	[ -z "$BACKGROUND" ] && BACKGROUND="k"
 	case "$BYOBU_BACKEND" in
 		tmux)
 			true
 		;;
 		*)
-			[ -z "$FOREGROUND" ] && FOREGROUND="w"
-			[ -z "$BACKGROUND" ] && BACKGROUND="k"
 			printf "\005{= $BACKGROUND$FOREGROUND}"
 		;;
 	esac