diff --git a/src/Terminal.ts b/src/Terminal.ts
index 2650ae33..040581c4 100644
--- a/src/Terminal.ts
+++ b/src/Terminal.ts
@@ -696,6 +696,7 @@ export class Terminal extends EventEmitter implements ITerminal, IDisposable, II
     this.element.appendChild(fragment);
 
     this._setupRenderer();
+    this._theme = this.options.theme;
     this.options.theme = null;
     this.viewport = new Viewport(this, this._viewportElement, this._viewportScrollArea, this.charMeasure);
     this.viewport.onThemeChanged(this.renderer.colorManager.colors);
@@ -758,7 +759,6 @@ export class Terminal extends EventEmitter implements ITerminal, IDisposable, II
       case 'dom': this.renderer = new DomRenderer(this, this.options.theme); break;
       default: throw new Error(`Unrecognized rendererType "${this.options.rendererType}"`);
     }
-    this._theme = this.options.theme;
     this.register(this.renderer);
   }