diff --git a/kitty/colors.py b/kitty/colors.py
index a4e4c78a5..1fc39a6c6 100644
--- a/kitty/colors.py
+++ b/kitty/colors.py
@@ -109,13 +109,13 @@ class ThemeColors:
             self.applied_theme = which
         elif which == 'light' and self.has_light_theme:
             patch_options_with_color_spec(opts, self.light_spec, self.light_tbc)
-            patch_global_colors(self.dark_spec, True)
+            patch_global_colors(self.light_spec, True)
             if debug_rendering:
                 log_error(f'Applied {which} color theme')
             self.applied_theme = which
         elif which == 'no_preference' and self.has_no_preference_theme:
             patch_options_with_color_spec(opts, self.no_preference_spec, self.no_preference_tbc)
-            patch_global_colors(self.dark_spec, True)
+            patch_global_colors(self.no_preference_spec, True)
             if debug_rendering:
                 log_error(f'Applied {which} color theme')
             self.applied_theme = which