diff --git a/src/xrc/xh_unkwn.cpp b/src/xrc/xh_unkwn.cpp
index ee398ec8dd..83b1471700 100644
--- a/src/xrc/xh_unkwn.cpp
+++ b/src/xrc/xh_unkwn.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ public:
           m_controlName(controlName),
           m_control(NULL)
     {
-        m_bg = GetBackgroundColour();
+        m_bg = UseBgCol() ? GetBackgroundColour() : wxColour();
         SetBackgroundColour(wxColour(255, 0, 255));
     }