diff --git a/src/preferences/appearance/APRView.cpp b/src/preferences/appearance/APRView.cpp
index 9a2802f234..ca8c51d2a4 100644
--- a/src/preferences/appearance/APRView.cpp
+++ b/src/preferences/appearance/APRView.cpp
@@ -324,7 +324,8 @@ APRView::_SetColor(color_which which, rgb_color color)
 			= tint_color(color, isDark ? B_LIGHTEN_2_TINT : B_DARKEN_2_TINT);
 		_SetOneColor(B_MENU_SELECTED_BACKGROUND_COLOR, menuSelectedBackground);
 
-		const rgb_color controlBackground = tint_color(color, 0.25 /* lighten "> 2" */);
+		const rgb_color controlBackground = tint_color(color, isDark
+			? 0.8 /* lighten "< 1" */ : 0.25 /* lighten "> 2" */);
 		_SetOneColor(B_CONTROL_BACKGROUND_COLOR, controlBackground);
 
 		const rgb_color controlBorder