diff --git a/dix/window.c b/dix/window.c
index c16f51418..0beeb3a4d 100644
--- a/dix/window.c
+++ b/dix/window.c
@@ -519,9 +519,9 @@ InitRootWindow(WindowPtr pWin)
     }
     else {
         if (blackRoot)
-            pWin->background.pixel = blackPixel;
+            pWin->background.pixel = pScreen->blackPixel;
         else
-            pWin->background.pixel = whitePixel;
+            pWin->background.pixel = pScreen->whitePixel;
         backFlag |= CWBackPixel;
     }