diff --git a/src/core/gcal-calendar.c b/src/core/gcal-calendar.c
index 1e68d2c8..82917245 100644
--- a/src/core/gcal-calendar.c
+++ b/src/core/gcal-calendar.c
@@ -387,6 +387,9 @@ gcal_calendar_class_init (GcalCalendarClass *klass)
 static void
 gcal_calendar_init (GcalCalendar *self)
 {
+  GcalCalendarPrivate *priv = gcal_calendar_get_instance_private (self);
+
+  gdk_rgba_parse (&priv->color, "#ffffff");
 }
 
 /**