diff --git a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
index d6ccfecc..24b2f0eb 100644
--- a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
+++ b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
@@ -369,6 +369,7 @@ public abstract class GroupLayout
     {
         JPanel box = new JPanel(new HGroupLayout(NONE, justification));
         box.add(button);
+        box.setOpaque(false);
         return box;
     }