diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 285ede6..740ef1b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ Place **before** the `colorscheme github`:
 " use a slightly darker background, like GitHub inline code blocks
 let g:github_colors_soft = 1
 
+" use the dark theme
+set background=dark
+
 " more blocky diff markers in signcolumn (e.g. GitGutter)
 let g:github_colors_block_diffmark = 0