diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
index ce7b9c4102..aa5f1d4301 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ class Metadata(QWebView):  # {{{
 
     def paintEvent(self, ev):
         p = QPainter(self)
-        p.fillRect(ev.region().boundingRect(), QBrush(QColor(200, 200, 200, 220), Qt.SolidPattern))
+        p.fillRect(ev.region().boundingRect(), QBrush(QColor(200, 200, 200, 247), Qt.SolidPattern))
         p.end()
         QWebView.paintEvent(self, ev)
 # }}}