diff --git a/helix-term/src/config.rs b/helix-term/src/config.rs
index e9151fd03..7021c06ca 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/config.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/config.rs
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ impl<'de> Deserialize<'de> for Config {
         Ok(Self {
             global: GlobalConfig {
                 lsp_progress: config.lsp_progress.unwrap_or(true),
+                theme: None,
             },
             keymaps: config
                 .keys