diff --git a/src/config.py b/src/config.py
index 85d3c014afe42f1dbe8b7a37804a8c8790216f0c..a4b6c679efb12fede88866b5032dcde2ad8048db 100644
--- a/src/config.py
+++ b/src/config.py
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ class PreferencesWindow:
 
 		# Default Status messages
 		self.default_msg_tree = self.xml.get_widget('default_msg_treeview')
-		col2 = self.default_msg_tree.rc_get_style().bg[gtk.STATE_ACTIVE]
+		col2 = self.default_msg_tree.rc_get_style().bg[gtk.STATE_ACTIVE].to_string()
 		# (status, translated_status, message, enabled)
 		model = gtk.ListStore(str, str, str, bool)
 		self.default_msg_tree.set_model(model)