diff --git a/src/theme/style/button.rs b/src/theme/style/button.rs
index f361512d..b46b22d7 100644
--- a/src/theme/style/button.rs
+++ b/src/theme/style/button.rs
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ pub enum Button {
     Transparent,
 }
 
+fn menu_item_background(component: &Component, background: Color) -> Option<Background> {
+    (background != Color::from(component.base)).then_some(Background::Color(background))
+}
+
 pub fn appearance(
     theme: &crate::Theme,
     focused: bool,
@@ -149,7 +153,7 @@ pub fn appearance(
             // Menu folders cannot be disabled, ignore customized icon and text color
             let component = &cosmic.background(theme.transparent).component;
             let (background, _, _) = color(component);
-            appearance.background = Some(Background::Color(background));
+            appearance.background = menu_item_background(component, background);
             appearance.icon_color = Some(component.on.into());
             appearance.text_color = Some(component.on.into());
             corner_radii = &cosmic.corner_radii.radius_s;
@@ -171,8 +175,9 @@ pub fn appearance(
             }
         }
         Button::MenuItem => {
-            let (background, text, icon) = color(&cosmic.background(theme.transparent).component);
-            appearance.background = Some(Background::Color(background));
+            let component = &cosmic.background(theme.transparent).component;
+            let (background, text, icon) = color(component);
+            appearance.background = menu_item_background(component, background);
             appearance.icon_color = icon;
             appearance.text_color = text;
             corner_radii = &cosmic.corner_radii.radius_s;