diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index 696f634..c8921bd 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ static const char *colorname[] = {
  */
 unsigned int defaultfg = 259;
 unsigned int defaultbg = 258;
-static unsigned int defaultcs = 256;
-static unsigned int defaultrcs = 257;
+unsigned int defaultcs = 256;
+unsigned int defaultrcs = 257;
 
 /*
  * Default shape of cursor
diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 192360b..618e11b 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -1943,12 +1943,23 @@ strhandle(void)
 			}
 			return;
 		case 4: /* color set */
-			if (narg < 3)
+		case 10: /* foreground set */
+		case 11: /* background set */
+		case 12: /* cursor color */
+			if ((par == 4 && narg < 3) || narg < 2)
 				break;
-			p = strescseq.args[2];
+			p = strescseq.args[((par == 4) ? 2 : 1)];
 			/* FALLTHROUGH */
 		case 104: /* color reset, here p = NULL */
-			j = (narg > 1) ? atoi(strescseq.args[1]) : -1;
+			if (par == 10)
+				j = defaultfg;
+			else if (par == 11)
+				j = defaultbg;
+			else if (par == 12)
+				j = defaultcs;
+			else
+				j = (narg > 1) ? atoi(strescseq.args[1]) : -1;
+
 			if (xsetcolorname(j, p)) {
 				if (par == 104 && narg <= 1)
 					return; /* color reset without parameter */
diff --git a/st.h b/st.h
index 9bf307e..33cc5d4 100644
--- a/st.h
+++ b/st.h
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ extern char *termname;
 extern unsigned int tabspaces;
 extern unsigned int defaultfg;
 extern unsigned int defaultbg;
+extern unsigned int defaultcs;
 extern const int boxdraw, boxdraw_bold, boxdraw_braille;
 extern float alpha;
 extern MouseKey mkeys[];
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index 8be4a04..47e4dea 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -814,6 +814,8 @@ xsetcolorname(int x, const char *name)
 
 	XftColorFree(xw.dpy, xw.vis, xw.cmap, &dc.col[x]);
 	dc.col[x] = ncolor;
+	if (x == defaultbg)
+		dc.col[defaultbg].color.alpha = (unsigned short)(0xffff * alpha);
 
 	return 0;
 }