diff --git a/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml b/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
index e7f8ccfa..f33cb136 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
@@ -70,7 +70,9 @@ Item {
   }
 
   function applyPendingTheme() {
-    if (pendingThemeVersion !== backgroundVersion) return
+    // Background polling can advance backgroundVersion while a theme switch is
+    // pending; the latest theme payload should still apply.
+    if (pendingThemeVersion < 0) return
     pendingThemeFallbackTimer.stop()
     Color.loadColors(pendingColorsRaw)
     // Color.loadShell also refreshes Style so the type scale flips with the
diff --git a/test/shell.d/background-test.sh b/test/shell.d/background-test.sh
index 3a502a6a..9762e6d3 100644
--- a/test/shell.d/background-test.sh
+++ b/test/shell.d/background-test.sh
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ assert(
 assert(
   backgroundQml.includes('pendingThemeFallbackTimer.restart()') &&
     backgroundQml.includes('pendingThemeFallbackTimer.stop()') &&
-    backgroundQml.includes('id: pendingThemeFallbackTimer'),
+    backgroundQml.includes('id: pendingThemeFallbackTimer') &&
+    !backgroundQml.includes('pendingThemeVersion !== backgroundVersion'),
   'background theme transition applies pending colors even if image reveal stalls'
 )
 JS