diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 146833c..0d470a3 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -451,6 +451,28 @@ fi
 
 AM_CONDITIONAL(BUILD_AV, test "x$BUILD_AV" = "xyes")
 
+# check for ncurses default colour capabilities
+NATIVE_COLOURS="no"
+AC_ARG_ENABLE([native-colours],
+    [AC_HELP_STRING(
+        [--enable-native-colours], [use terminal-default fg/bg colours])
+    ],
+    [
+        if test "x$enableval" = "xno"; then
+            NATIVE_COLOURS="no"
+        elif test "x$enableval" = "xyes"; then
+            NATIVE_COLOURS="yes"
+        fi
+    ]
+)
+if test "x$NATIVE_COLOURS" = "xyes"; then
+    AC_CHECK_LIB([ncurses], [assume_default_colors],
+        [AC_DEFINE(
+            [TOXIC_NATIVE_COLOURS], [1], [use terminal-default fg/bg colours])
+        ],
+        [AC_MSG_WARN([curses library does not support native colours])]
+    )
+fi
 
 TOXIC_VERSION="$PACKAGE_VERSION"
 AC_PATH_PROG([GIT], [git], [no])
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index cce2d62..3e60517 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -108,14 +108,19 @@ static void init_term(void)
     timeout(100);
 
     if (has_colors()) {
+        short bg_color = COLOR_BLACK;
         start_color();
+#ifdef TOXIC_NATIVE_COLOURS
+        if (assume_default_colors(-1,-1) == OK)
+            bg_color = -1;
+#endif
         init_pair(0, COLOR_WHITE, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(1, COLOR_GREEN, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(2, COLOR_CYAN, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(3, COLOR_RED, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(4, COLOR_BLUE, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(5, COLOR_YELLOW, COLOR_BLACK);
-        init_pair(6, COLOR_MAGENTA, COLOR_BLACK);
+        init_pair(1, COLOR_GREEN, bg_color);
+        init_pair(2, COLOR_CYAN, bg_color);
+        init_pair(3, COLOR_RED, bg_color);
+        init_pair(4, COLOR_BLUE, bg_color);
+        init_pair(5, COLOR_YELLOW, bg_color);
+        init_pair(6, COLOR_MAGENTA, bg_color);
         init_pair(7, COLOR_BLACK, COLOR_BLACK);
         init_pair(8, COLOR_BLACK, COLOR_WHITE);
     }