diff --git a/gtm2.py b/gtm2.py
index 00602a9..5512c7f 100755
--- a/gtm2.py
+++ b/gtm2.py
@@ -552,7 +552,8 @@ 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)
-        curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_WHITE, 8)
+        # 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(3, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
         curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)