diff --git a/service/shale/theme.css b/service/shale/theme.css
index 5e9136aeb4f799bf20e82f27933946a92fb61084..b20577426dd78ce715c90685b67da0abd3459c9c 100644
--- a/service/shale/theme.css
+++ b/service/shale/theme.css
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .usa-header--basic .usa-nav {
-  background-color: var(--theme-color-primary);
+  background-color: transparent;
 }
 
 .usa-header--basic .usa-nav__primary > .usa-nav__primary-item > a {