diff --git a/kitty/tab_bar.py b/kitty/tab_bar.py
index b996e1e9..128f2d28 100644
--- a/kitty/tab_bar.py
+++ b/kitty/tab_bar.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def draw_tab(
     orig_bg = screen.cursor.bg
 
     def draw_sep(which: str) -> None:
-        screen.cursor.bg = draw_data.default_bg
+        screen.cursor.bg = draw_data.default_bg.rgb
         screen.cursor.fg = orig_bg
         screen.draw(which)
         screen.cursor.bg = orig_bg