diff --git a/AndroidManifest.xml b/AndroidManifest.xml
index 465fc70e2..343174f03 100644
--- a/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
         android:label="@string/app_name"
         android:name="K9"
         android:allowTaskReparenting="false"
-        android:theme="@style/Theme.K9.Light"
+        android:theme="@style/Theme.K9.Startup"
         >
         <meta-data android:name="android.app.default_searchable"
                    android:value=".activity.Search" />
diff --git a/res/values/themes.xml b/res/values/themes.xml
index 685eafe6e..3e148ea33 100644
--- a/res/values/themes.xml
+++ b/res/values/themes.xml
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <resources xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
 
+    <style name="Theme.K9.Startup" parent="Theme.Sherlock.NoActionBar">
+        <item name="android:windowBackground">@android:color/black</item>
+    </style>
+
     <style name="Theme.K9.Light.Base" parent="Theme.Sherlock.Light">
         <item name="iconFolder">@drawable/folder_light</item>
         <item name="iconListItemMenu">@drawable/dropdown_ic_arrow_normal_holo_light</item>