diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/palette.py b/src/calibre/gui2/palette.py
index 951969de4a..24684dfbf8 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/palette.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/palette.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from calibre.constants import dark_link_color
 
 dark_link_color = QColor(dark_link_color)
 dark_color = QColor(45,45,45)
-dark_text_color = QColor('#eee')
+dark_text_color = QColor('#ddd')
 
 
 def dark_palette():
diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/settings.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/settings.pyj
index ab846cb196..df48046d78 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/settings.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/settings.pyj
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def apply_font_size():
 def default_selection_colors():
     if opts.is_dark_theme:
         return dark_link_color, '#111'
-    return '#3297FD', '#eee'
+    return '#3297FD', '#ddd'
 
 
 styles_id = 'calibre-color-scheme-style-overrides'