diff --git a/src/widgets/helper/NotebookTab.cpp b/src/widgets/helper/NotebookTab.cpp
index 145657348..c29b98430 100644
--- a/src/widgets/helper/NotebookTab.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/helper/NotebookTab.cpp
@@ -328,7 +328,8 @@ void NotebookTab::paintEvent(QPaintEvent *)
 
     painter.fillRect(bgRect, tabBackground);
 
-    if (this->highlightColor_ != nullptr)
+    if (this->highlightState_ == HighlightState::Highlighted &&
+        this->highlightColor_ != nullptr)
     {
         auto col = *this->highlightColor_.get();
         col.setAlpha(255);