diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/data/Application.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/data/Application.java
index f759ef0..42d6858 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/data/Application.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/data/Application.java
@@ -1749,7 +1749,9 @@ public class Application
     {
         if (!StringUtil.isBlank(hexValue)) {
             try {
-                return new Color(Integer.parseInt(hexValue, 16));
+                int rgba = Integer.parseInt(hexValue, 16);
+                boolean hasAlpha = hexValue.length() > 6;
+                return new Color(rgba, hasAlpha);
             } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
                 log.warning("Ignoring invalid color", "hexValue", hexValue, "exception", e);
             }
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApp.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApp.java
index 0dac4a1..e5f0386 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApp.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApp.java
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 
 package com.threerings.getdown.launcher;
 
+import java.awt.Color;
 import java.awt.Container;
+import java.awt.IllegalComponentStateException;
 import java.awt.Image;
 import java.awt.event.WindowAdapter;
 import java.awt.event.WindowEvent;
@@ -141,6 +143,13 @@ public class GetdownApp
                         }
                     });
                     _frame.setUndecorated(_ifc.hideDecorations);
+                    try {
+                        _frame.setBackground(_ifc.background);
+                    } catch (UnsupportedOperationException e) {
+                        log.warning("Failed to set background", e);
+                    } catch (IllegalComponentStateException e) {
+                        log.warning("Failed to set background", e);
+                    }
                     _frame.setResizable(false);
                 } else {
                     _frame.setTitle(title);
@@ -226,6 +235,12 @@ public class GetdownApp
                 // to allow the user to close the window
                 if (_frame != null && _frame.isUndecorated()) {
                     _frame.dispose();
+                    Color background = _frame.getBackground();
+                    if (background != null && background.getAlpha() < 255) {
+                        // decorated windows do not allow alpha backgrounds
+                        _frame.setBackground(
+                            new Color(background.getRed(), background.getGreen(), background.getBlue()));
+                    }
                     _frame.setUndecorated(false);
                     showContainer();
                 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApplet.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApplet.java
index 8f10b96..8df73f3 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApplet.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/GetdownApplet.java
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ public class GetdownApplet extends JApplet
                 @Override
                 protected Container createContainer () {
                     getContentPane().removeAll();
+                    getContentPane().setBackground(_ifc.background);
                     return getContentPane();
                 }
                 @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/StatusPanel.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/StatusPanel.java
index 4fbb9be..ada90ed 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/StatusPanel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher/StatusPanel.java
@@ -189,10 +189,7 @@ public class StatusPanel extends JComponent
         super.paintComponent(g);
         Graphics2D gfx = (Graphics2D)g;
 
-        // always draw a background in case our image isn't ready yet
-        gfx.setColor(_ifc.background);
-        gfx.fillRect(0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
-        // then attempt to draw a background image...
+        // attempt to draw a background image...
         Image img;
         if (_displayError) {
             img = _bg.getErrorImage();