diff --git a/src/gruvbox-main.sh b/src/gruvbox-main.sh
index ffeee80..73601f9 100755
--- a/src/gruvbox-main.sh
+++ b/src/gruvbox-main.sh
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Y="@tmux-gruvbox-right-status-y"
 readonly TMUX_GRUVBOX_RIGHT_STAUTS_Z="@tmux-gruvbox-right-status-z"
 
 # define simple theme options (no color interpolation required)
-readonly DEFAULT_THEME="dark"
+readonly DEFAULT_THEME="dark256"
 readonly DEFAULT_STATUSBAR_ALPHA='false'
 # defaults for theme option (with color interpolation)
 readonly DEFAULT_LEFT_STATUS_A='#S'