diff --git a/gitk b/gitk
index 966833a19e..19689765cd 100755
--- a/gitk
+++ b/gitk
@@ -7108,7 +7108,7 @@ proc findselectline {l} {
 
 # mark the bits of a headline or author that match a find string
 proc markmatches {canv l str tag matches font row} {
-    global selectedline
+    global selectedline foundbgcolor
 
     set bbox [$canv bbox $tag]
     set x0 [lindex $bbox 0]
@@ -7122,7 +7122,7 @@ proc markmatches {canv l str tag matches font row} {
         set xlen [font measure $font [string range $str 0 [expr {$end}]]]
         set t [$canv create rect [expr {$x0+$xoff}] $y0 \
                    [expr {$x0+$xlen+2}] $y1 \
-                   -outline {} -tags [list match$l matches] -fill yellow]
+                   -outline {} -tags [list match$l matches] -fill $foundbgcolor]
         $canv lower $t
         if {$row == $selectedline} {
             $canv raise $t secsel