diff --git a/.zshrc b/.zshrc
index 7037ace..dc5dd1e 100644
--- a/.zshrc
+++ b/.zshrc
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ if ack=`whence ack-grep`
 then
     alias ack=$ack
 fi
-alias   darkbg='xtermcontrol --bg "#000" --fg "#FFF"'
-alias   lightbg='xtermcontrol --bg "#EEE" --fg "#000" --highlight="#0FF"'
+alias   darkbg='xtermcontrol --bg "#000" --fg "#FFF"; export BG=dark'
+alias   lightbg='xtermcontrol --bg "#EEE" --fg "#000" --highlight="#0FF"; export BG=light'
 alias   defaultbg='. ~/.zxtermcolors'
 alias   ag='ag --color-path 32'