diff --git a/apps/slidingtext/slidingtext.js b/apps/slidingtext/slidingtext.js
index b8d254cdf..b87eee8d1 100644
--- a/apps/slidingtext/slidingtext.js
+++ b/apps/slidingtext/slidingtext.js
@@ -701,6 +701,8 @@ function loadSettings() {
     initDisplay(settings);
     if (settings.color_scheme != null) {
       setColorScheme(settings.color_scheme);
+    } else {
+      setColorScheme("black");
     }
     if (settings.enable_live_controls == null) {
       settings.enable_live_controls = (bangleVersion() <= 1);