diff --git a/configs/client-default.js b/configs/client-default.js
index 47369527..5f42b148 100644
--- a/configs/client-default.js
+++ b/configs/client-default.js
@@ -403,7 +403,8 @@ module.exports = function(options) {
         "plugins/c9.ide.theme.flat/flat-light",
         {
             packagePath: "plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload",
-            themePrefix: options.themePrefix
+            themePrefix: options.themePrefix,
+            defaultTheme: "dark"
         },
         {
             packagePath: "plugins/c9.ide.tree/tree",
diff --git a/plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload.js b/plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload.js
index 4d02ae92..1e0d97a6 100644
--- a/plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload.js
+++ b/plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ define(function(require, exports, module) {
         
         function preload(callback) {
             settings.setDefaults("user/general", [
-                ["skin", "dark"] // "flat-light"
+                ["skin", options.defaultTheme || "dark"] // "flat-light"
             ]);
             if (!packed || options.loadTheme) return callback();
             try {