diff --git a/tailbone/subscribers.py b/tailbone/subscribers.py
index 707de1e0..de1177d6 100644
--- a/tailbone/subscribers.py
+++ b/tailbone/subscribers.py
@@ -124,8 +124,12 @@ def before_render(event):
         renderer_globals['messaging_enabled'] = request.rattail_config.getbool(
             'tailbone', 'messaging.enabled', default=False)
 
-        renderer_globals['background_color'] = request.rattail_config.get(
-            'tailbone', 'background_color')
+        # background color may be set per-request, by some apps
+        if hasattr(request, 'background_color') and request.background_color:
+            renderer_globals['background_color'] = request.background_color
+        else: # otherwise we use the one from config
+            renderer_globals['background_color'] = request.rattail_config.get(
+                'tailbone', 'background_color')
 
 
 def add_inbox_count(event):