diff --git a/samples/opengl/cube/cube.cpp b/samples/opengl/cube/cube.cpp
index 6a5bc37778..61f6494835 100644
--- a/samples/opengl/cube/cube.cpp
+++ b/samples/opengl/cube/cube.cpp
@@ -165,6 +165,10 @@ TestGLContext::TestGLContext(wxGLCanvas *canvas)
     glEnable(GL_LIGHT0);
     glEnable(GL_TEXTURE_2D);
 
+    // add slightly more light, the default lightning is rather dark
+    GLfloat ambient[] = { 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5 };
+    glLightfv(GL_LIGHT0, GL_AMBIENT, ambient);
+
     // set viewing projection
     glMatrixMode(GL_PROJECTION);
     glLoadIdentity();