diff --git a/src/highlight.c b/src/highlight.c
index 61fea9a..6a2b087 100644
--- a/src/highlight.c
+++ b/src/highlight.c
@@ -974,8 +974,8 @@
 			&& dark != (*p_bg == 'd')
 			&& !option_was_set((char_u *)"bg"))
 		{
-		    set_option_value((char_u *)"bg", 0L,
-			    (char_u *)(dark ? "dark" : "light"), 0);
+		    set_option_value_give_err((char_u *)"bg",
+				   0L, (char_u *)(dark ? "dark" : "light"), 0);
 		    reset_option_was_set((char_u *)"bg");
 		}
 	    }