diff --git a/src/ColorScheme.h b/src/ColorScheme.h
--- a/src/ColorScheme.h
+++ b/src/ColorScheme.h
@@ -220,6 +220,8 @@
     // it does not already exist
     void setRandomizationRange(int index, quint16 hue, quint8 saturation, quint8 value);
 
+    bool hasBlackBackground();
+
     QString _description;
     QString _name;
 
diff --git a/src/ColorScheme.cpp b/src/ColorScheme.cpp
--- a/src/ColorScheme.cpp
+++ b/src/ColorScheme.cpp
@@ -301,15 +301,32 @@
     // adjusted as much as possible.
     //
     // the value and saturation are left alone to maintain read-ability
+    // except for black background schemes which allow a small change in
+    // the colour value
     if (randomize) {
-        setRandomizationRange(BGCOLOR_INDEX, MAX_HUE, 255, 0);
+        int maxValue = 0;
+
+        if (hasBlackBackground()) {
+            maxValue = 48;
+        }
+
+        setRandomizationRange(BGCOLOR_INDEX, MAX_HUE, 255, maxValue);
     } else {
         if (_randomTable != nullptr) {
             setRandomizationRange(BGCOLOR_INDEX, 0, 0, 0);
         }
     }
 }
 
+bool ColorScheme::hasBlackBackground()
+{
+    ColorEntry background = colorTable()[BGCOLOR_INDEX];
+
+    return background.red() == 0 &&
+        background.green() == 0 &&
+        background.blue() == 0;
+}
+
 void ColorScheme::setRandomizationRange(int index, quint16 hue, quint8 saturation, quint8 value)
 {
     Q_ASSERT(hue <= MAX_HUE);