diff --git a/kitty/boss.py b/kitty/boss.py
index 508befc97..53d0e7df2 100644
--- a/kitty/boss.py
+++ b/kitty/boss.py
@@ -2769,3 +2769,6 @@ class Boss:
 
     def sanitize_url_for_dispay_to_user(self, url: str) -> str:
         return sanitize_url_for_dispay_to_user(url)
+
+    def on_system_color_scheme_change(self, appearance: int) -> None:
+        log_error('system color theme changed:', appearance)
diff --git a/kitty/glfw.c b/kitty/glfw.c
index 0207cf6e1..1229ca085 100644
--- a/kitty/glfw.c
+++ b/kitty/glfw.c
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ get_platform_dependent_config_values(void *glfw_window) {
     }
 }
 
+static void
+on_system_color_scheme_change(int appearance) {
+    call_boss(on_system_color_scheme_change, "i", appearance);
+}
+
 static void
 strip_csi_(const char *title, char *buf, size_t bufsz) {
     enum { NORMAL, IN_ESC, IN_CSI} state = NORMAL;
@@ -869,6 +874,7 @@ create_os_window(PyObject UNUSED *self, PyObject *args, PyObject *kw) {
         glfwSetCurrentSelectionCallback(get_current_selection);
         glfwSetHasCurrentSelectionCallback(has_current_selection);
         glfwSetIMECursorPositionCallback(get_ime_cursor_position);
+        glfwSetSystemColorThemeChangeCallback(on_system_color_scheme_change);
 #ifdef __APPLE__
         cocoa_set_activation_policy(OPT(macos_hide_from_tasks));
         glfwWindowHint(GLFW_COCOA_GRAPHICS_SWITCHING, true);