diff --git a/configs/client-default.js b/configs/client-default.js
index 789b64f7..5aa0cf6b 100644
--- a/configs/client-default.js
+++ b/configs/client-default.js
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ module.exports = function(options) {
         {
             packagePath: "plugins/c9.ide.layout.classic/preload",
             themePrefix: options.themePrefix,
-            defaultTheme: "dark"
+            defaultTheme: options.defaultTheme || "dark"
         },
         {
             packagePath: "plugins/c9.ide.tree/tree",