diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
index 01fa5a837..a30027b62 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ DATA = OrderedDict([
          "Background color of selected tabs."),
 
         ('tab.bg.bar',
-         SettingValue(types.QssColor(), '#555555'),
+         SettingValue(types.QtColor(), '#555555'),
          "Background color of the tabbar."),
 
         ('tab.indicator.start',
diff --git a/qutebrowser/widgets/tabwidget.py b/qutebrowser/widgets/tabwidget.py
index 9a2d871b5..a94aa81df 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/widgets/tabwidget.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/widgets/tabwidget.py
@@ -104,6 +104,10 @@ class TabBar(QTabBar):
         self.setStyle(TabBarStyle(self.style()))
         self.setFont(config.get('fonts', 'tabbar'))
         self.vertical = False
+        self.setAutoFillBackground(True)
+        p = self.palette()
+        p.setColor(QPalette.Window, config.get('colors', 'tab.bg.bar'))
+        self.setPalette(p)
 
     def __repr__(self):
         return '<{} with {} tabs>'.format(self.__class__.__name__,
@@ -130,6 +134,10 @@ class TabBar(QTabBar):
         """Update attributes when config changed."""
         if section == 'fonts' and option == 'tabbar':
             self.setFont(config.get('fonts', 'tabbar'))
+        elif section == 'colors' and option == 'tab.bg.bar':
+            p = self.palette()
+            p.setColor(QPalette.Window, config.get('colors', 'tab.bg.bar'))
+            self.setPalette(p)
 
     def mousePressEvent(self, e):
         """Override mousePressEvent to close tabs if configured."""