diff --git a/corrscope/gui/model_bind.py b/corrscope/gui/model_bind.py
index 342013f..2cafbfb 100644
--- a/corrscope/gui/model_bind.py
+++ b/corrscope/gui/model_bind.py
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ class BoundColorWidget(BoundWidget, qw.QWidget):
 
         # Setup checkbox
         if self.optional:
-            self.check = _ColorCheckBox(self, self.text)
+            self.check = _ColorCheckBox(self, self.text, "#ffffff")
             self.check.setToolTip("Enable/Disable Color")
             layout.addWidget(self.check)
 
@@ -492,6 +492,12 @@ class BoundColorWidget(BoundWidget, qw.QWidget):
             "BoundColorWidget.gui_changed -> set_model should not be called"
         )
 
+    def set_default_color(self, color: str):
+        assert hasattr(
+            self, "check"
+        ), "cannot set default color of non-optional color widget"
+        self.check.default_color = color
+
 
 class OptionalColorWidget(BoundColorWidget):
     optional = True
@@ -590,11 +596,12 @@ class _ColorButton(qw.QPushButton):
 
 
 class _ColorCheckBox(qw.QCheckBox):
-    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget, text: "_ColorText"):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget, text: "_ColorText", default_color: str):
         qw.QCheckBox.__init__(self, parent)
         self.stateChanged.connect(self.on_check)
 
         self.color_text = text
+        self.default_color = default_color
         text.hex_color.connect(self.set_color)
 
     @Slot(str)
@@ -612,7 +619,7 @@ class _ColorCheckBox(qw.QCheckBox):
             CheckState.Checked,
         ]
         if value != CheckState.Unchecked:
-            self.color_text.setText("#ffffff")
+            self.color_text.setText(self.default_color)
         else:
             self.color_text.setText("")
 
diff --git a/corrscope/gui/view_mainwindow.py b/corrscope/gui/view_mainwindow.py
index fdf8e6a..04be2ff 100644
--- a/corrscope/gui/view_mainwindow.py
+++ b/corrscope/gui/view_mainwindow.py
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ class MainWindow(QWidget):
                 with add_row(
                     s, tr("Right Color"), OptionalColorWidget
                 ) as self.render__stereo_bar_right_color:
-                    pass
+                    self.render__stereo_bar_right_color.set_default_color("#ff9999")
 
                 with add_row(
                     s,