diff --git a/.vimrc b/.vimrc
index e63636a..ca15028 100644
--- a/.vimrc
+++ b/.vimrc
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ augroup XML
     autocmd FileType xml :%foldopen!
 augroup END
 
+if "$VIM_COLORSCHEME" == "light"
+    set background=light
+endif
 colorscheme solarized
 call togglebg#map("<Leader>b")
 let load_doxygen_syntax = 1