diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
index d62d2c8f69..342a49a677 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS()
 void PCB_RENDER_SETTINGS::ImportLegacyColors( const COLORS_DESIGN_SETTINGS* aSettings )
 {
     for( int i = 0; i < LAYER_ID_COUNT; i++ )
+    {
         m_layerColors[i] = aSettings->GetLayerColor( i );
+        m_layerColors[i].a = 0.8;   // slightly transparent
+    }
 
     for( int i = 0; i < END_PCB_VISIBLE_LIST; i++ )
         m_layerColors[ITEM_GAL_LAYER( i )] = aSettings->GetItemColor( i );
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp b/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
index 7abbaa3292..bfbe39d4a9 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
@@ -734,12 +734,13 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::UseGalCanvas( bool aEnable )
 
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::forceColorsToLegacy()
 {
-    COLORS_DESIGN_SETTINGS *cds = GetBoard()->GetColorsSettings();
+    COLORS_DESIGN_SETTINGS* cds = GetBoard()->GetColorsSettings();
 
     for( int i = 0; i < LAYER_ID_COUNT; i++ )
     {
         COLOR4D c = cds->GetLayerColor( i );
         c.SetToNearestLegacyColor();
+        c.a = 0.8;
         cds->SetLayerColor( i, c );
     }
 
@@ -747,6 +748,7 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::forceColorsToLegacy()
     {
         COLOR4D c = cds->GetItemColor( i );
         c.SetToNearestLegacyColor();
+        c.a = 0.8;
         cds->SetItemColor( i, c );
     }
 }