diff --git a/src/nano.c b/src/nano.c
index 114d29d0..f489a65f 100644
--- a/src/nano.c
+++ b/src/nano.c
@@ -2325,7 +2325,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 		interface_color_pair[GUIDE_STRIPE] = A_REVERSE;
 		interface_color_pair[SCROLL_BAR] = A_NORMAL;
 		interface_color_pair[SELECTED_TEXT] = hilite_attribute;
-		interface_color_pair[HIGHLIGHTED] = hilite_attribute;
+		interface_color_pair[HIGHLIGHTED] = A_REVERSE;
 		interface_color_pair[PROMPT_BAR] = hilite_attribute;
 		interface_color_pair[STATUS_BAR] = hilite_attribute;
 		interface_color_pair[ERROR_MESSAGE] = hilite_attribute;