diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
index 433233a0f..a9d8cf135 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/editor.rs
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ impl EditorView {
         let text_annotations = view.text_annotations(doc, Some(theme));
         let mut decorations = DecorationManager::default();
 
-        if !is_focused {
+        if !(is_focused && self.terminal_focused) {
             surface.set_style(area, theme.get("ui.background.inactive"))
         }