diff --git a/src/backend/kms/mod.rs b/src/backend/kms/mod.rs
index aad54127..d0d17f86 100644
--- a/src/backend/kms/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/kms/mod.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #[cfg(feature = "debug")]
 use crate::backend::render::element::AsGlowRenderer;
 use crate::{
-    backend::render::workspace_elements,
+    backend::render::{workspace_elements, CLEAR_COLOR},
     config::OutputConfig,
     shell::Shell,
     state::{BackendData, ClientState, Common, Fps, SurfaceDmabufFeedback},
@@ -1241,11 +1241,10 @@ impl Surface {
         })?;
         self.fps.elements();
 
-        let theme = state.theme.cosmic();
         let res = compositor.render_frame::<_, _, GlesTexture>(
             &mut renderer,
             &elements,
-            crate::theme::clear_color(&theme),
+            CLEAR_COLOR, // TODO use a theme neutral color
         );
         self.fps.render();
 
diff --git a/src/backend/render/mod.rs b/src/backend/render/mod.rs
index 5e7796fa..76c4eb45 100644
--- a/src/backend/render/mod.rs
+++ b/src/backend/render/mod.rs
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ pub type GlMultiFrame<'a, 'b, 'frame> =
     MultiFrame<'a, 'a, 'b, 'frame, GbmGlesBackend<GlowRenderer>, GbmGlesBackend<GlowRenderer>>;
 pub type GlMultiError = MultiError<GbmGlesBackend<GlowRenderer>, GbmGlesBackend<GlowRenderer>>;
 
+pub static CLEAR_COLOR: [f32; 4] = [0.153, 0.161, 0.165, 1.0];
 pub static OUTLINE_SHADER: &str = include_str!("./shaders/rounded_outline.frag");
 pub static RECTANGLE_SHADER: &str = include_str!("./shaders/rounded_rectangle.frag");
 
@@ -918,7 +919,7 @@ where
         renderer,
         age,
         &elements,
-        crate::theme::clear_color(state.theme.cosmic()),
+        CLEAR_COLOR, // TODO use a theme neutral color
     );
 
     if let Some(fps) = fps.as_mut() {
diff --git a/src/theme.rs b/src/theme.rs
index e6837800..4336caa4 100644
--- a/src/theme.rs
+++ b/src/theme.rs
@@ -10,16 +10,6 @@ use cosmic::cosmic_theme::{
 
 use crate::state::State;
 
-pub(crate) fn clear_color(theme: &Theme<Srgba>) -> [f32; 4] {
-    let neutral_2 = theme.palette.neutral_2;
-    [
-        neutral_2.red,
-        neutral_2.green,
-        neutral_2.blue,
-        neutral_2.alpha,
-    ]
-}
-
 pub(crate) fn group_color(theme: &Theme<Srgba>) -> [f32; 3] {
     let neutral_8 = theme.palette.neutral_8;
     [neutral_8.red, neutral_8.green, neutral_8.blue]
diff --git a/src/wayland/handlers/screencopy.rs b/src/wayland/handlers/screencopy.rs
index 11845d48..16a37b19 100644
--- a/src/wayland/handlers/screencopy.rs
+++ b/src/wayland/handlers/screencopy.rs
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ use crate::{
     backend::render::{
         cursor,
         element::{AsGlowRenderer, CosmicElement},
-        render_output, render_workspace, CursorMode,
+        render_output, render_workspace, CursorMode, CLEAR_COLOR,
     },
     shell::{CosmicMappedRenderElement, CosmicSurface, WorkspaceRenderElement},
     state::{BackendData, ClientState, Common, State},
@@ -1019,7 +1019,7 @@ pub fn render_window_to_buffer(
             renderer,
             age,
             &elements,
-            crate::theme::clear_color(common.theme.cosmic()),
+            CLEAR_COLOR, // TODO use a theme neutral color
         )
     }