diff --git a/openbox/focus.c b/openbox/focus.c
index 2db07b4d..59e07f5e 100644
--- a/openbox/focus.c
+++ b/openbox/focus.c
@@ -113,7 +113,8 @@ void focus_startup(gboolean reconfig)
         a_focus_indicator = RrAppearanceNew(ob_rr_inst, 4);
         a_focus_indicator->surface.grad = RR_SURFACE_SOLID;
         a_focus_indicator->surface.relief = RR_RELIEF_FLAT;
-        a_focus_indicator->surface.primary = color_black;
+        a_focus_indicator->surface.primary = RrColorNew(ob_rr_inst,
+                                                        0, 0, 0);
         a_focus_indicator->texture[0].type = RR_TEXTURE_LINE_ART;
         a_focus_indicator->texture[0].data.lineart.color = color_white;
         a_focus_indicator->texture[1].type = RR_TEXTURE_LINE_ART;