diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index 696f634..c8921bd 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ static const char *colorname[] = {
  */
 unsigned int defaultfg = 259;
 unsigned int defaultbg = 258;
-static unsigned int defaultcs = 256;
-static unsigned int defaultrcs = 257;
+unsigned int defaultcs = 256;
+unsigned int defaultrcs = 257;
 
 /*
  * Default shape of cursor
diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 192360b..0e5e3f5 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -1943,12 +1943,23 @@ strhandle(void)
 			}
 			return;
 		case 4: /* color set */
-			if (narg < 3)
+		case 10: /* foreground set */
+		case 11: /* background set */
+		case 12: /* cursor color */
+			if ((par == 4 && narg < 3) || narg < 2)
 				break;
-			p = strescseq.args[2];
+			p = strescseq.args[((par == 4) ? 2 : 1)];
 			/* FALLTHROUGH */
 		case 104: /* color reset, here p = NULL */
-			j = (narg > 1) ? atoi(strescseq.args[1]) : -1;
+			if (par == 10)
+				j = defaultfg;
+			else if (par == 11)
+				j = defaultbg;
+			else if (par == 12)
+				j = defaultcs;
+			else
+				j = (narg > 1) ? atoi(strescseq.args[1]) : -1;
+
 			if (xsetcolorname(j, p)) {
 				if (par == 104 && narg <= 1)
 					return; /* color reset without parameter */
@@ -1959,6 +1970,8 @@ strhandle(void)
 				 * TODO if defaultbg color is changed, borders
 				 * are dirty
 				 */
+				if (j == defaultbg)
+					xclearwin();
 				redraw();
 			}
 			return;
diff --git a/st.h b/st.h
index 9bf307e..33cc5d4 100644
--- a/st.h
+++ b/st.h
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ extern char *termname;
 extern unsigned int tabspaces;
 extern unsigned int defaultfg;
 extern unsigned int defaultbg;
+extern unsigned int defaultcs;
 extern const int boxdraw, boxdraw_bold, boxdraw_braille;
 extern float alpha;
 extern MouseKey mkeys[];
diff --git a/win.h b/win.h
index a6ef1b9..d7b4980 100644
--- a/win.h
+++ b/win.h
@@ -37,3 +37,4 @@ void xsetpointermotion(int);
 void xsetsel(char *);
 int xstartdraw(void);
 void xximspot(int, int);
+void xclearwin(void);
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index 8be4a04..55f4a61 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -814,6 +814,8 @@ xsetcolorname(int x, const char *name)
 
 	XftColorFree(xw.dpy, xw.vis, xw.cmap, &dc.col[x]);
 	dc.col[x] = ncolor;
+	if (x == defaultbg)
+		dc.col[defaultbg].color.alpha = (unsigned short)(0xffff * alpha);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -829,6 +831,13 @@ xclear(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2)
 			x1, y1, x2-x1, y2-y1);
 }
 
+void
+xclearwin(void)
+{
+	xclear(0, 0, win.w, win.h);
+}
+
+
 void
 xhints(void)
 {