diff --git a/vmg/image_widget_gl.py b/vmg/image_widget_gl.py
index b1daa9a..f9d9f9e 100644
--- a/vmg/image_widget_gl.py
+++ b/vmg/image_widget_gl.py
@@ -109,6 +109,8 @@ def wheelEvent(self, event: QtGui.QWheelEvent):
         self.update()
 
     def paintGL(self) -> None:
+        bg_color = self.palette().color(self.backgroundRole()).getRgbF()
+        GL.glClearColor(*bg_color)
         GL.glClear(GL.GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT)
         if self.image is None:
             return