diff --git a/gtm2.py b/gtm2.py
index 2c91979..3fdc7e0 100755
--- a/gtm2.py
+++ b/gtm2.py
@@ -364,6 +364,7 @@ def draw_status_bars(stdscr, state):
         left_status += mouse_status
     
     # Draw original status bars for left and right panes
+    # Both active and inactive panes now use their respective color pairs
     left_attr = curses.color_pair(1) if state.focus == "left" else curses.color_pair(2)
     right_attr = curses.color_pair(1) if state.focus == "right" else curses.color_pair(2)
     
@@ -606,9 +607,9 @@ def main(stdscr, filename, show_diff, show_add, show_del, mouse):
 
     if curses.has_colors():
         curses.use_default_colors()
-        curses.init_pair(1, 5, 7)
         # Use a safe background color (7 or less) to avoid "Color number is greater than COLORS-1" error
-        curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_WHITE, 0)  # Use black (0) instead of 8
+        curses.init_pair(1, curses.COLOR_BLACK, 7)  # Active pane: black on white
+        curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_WHITE, 0)  # Inactive pane: white on black
         curses.init_pair(3, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
         curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)
         curses.init_pair(5, curses.COLOR_BLACK, 7)  # Status bar color (white background)