diff --git a/app/javascript/gabsocial/components/placeholder/placeholder_layout.js b/app/javascript/gabsocial/components/placeholder/placeholder_layout.js
index 66f3199b..ddabc096 100644
--- a/app/javascript/gabsocial/components/placeholder/placeholder_layout.js
+++ b/app/javascript/gabsocial/components/placeholder/placeholder_layout.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class PlaceholderLayout extends React.PureComponent {
       viewBox,
     } = this.props
 
-    const isLight = ['light', 'white'].indexOf(theme) > -1
+    const isLight = ['light', 'white', ''].indexOf(theme) > -1
     const title = intl.formatMessage(messages.loading)
     const backgroundColor = !isLight ? '#555' : '#f3f3f3'
     const foregroundColor = !isLight ? '#888' : '#ecebeb'