diff --git a/gui/chromeTabs.py b/gui/chromeTabs.py
index 9c8202565..093c5fdd4 100644
--- a/gui/chromeTabs.py
+++ b/gui/chromeTabs.py
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ class PFTabsContainer(wx.Panel):
         mdc.SelectObject(canvas)
 
         selected = 0
-        color = self.GetBackgroundColour()
+        color = wx.SystemSettings_GetColour(wx.SYS_COLOUR_3DFACE)
         mdc.SetBackground (wx.Brush(color))
 
 #        mdc.SetBackground (wx.Brush((66,113,202)))