diff --git a/res/css/structures/_LeftPanel.pcss b/res/css/structures/_LeftPanel.pcss
index 390f0e3b20b..9cbffc77d4a 100644
--- a/res/css/structures/_LeftPanel.pcss
+++ b/res/css/structures/_LeftPanel.pcss
@@ -14,6 +14,13 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
+.mx_MatrixChat--with-avatar {
+    .mx_LeftPanel,
+    .mx_LeftPanel .mx_LeftPanel_roomListContainer {
+        background-color: transparent;
+    }
+}
+
 .mx_LeftPanel_outerWrapper {
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
diff --git a/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.pcss b/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.pcss
index 6a108c71edd..f451d0114e6 100644
--- a/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.pcss
+++ b/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.pcss
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ $separator: var(--cpd-color-alpha-gray-400);
 
 /* RoomList */
 /* ******************** */
-$roomlist-bg-color: var(--cpd-color-bg-subtle-secondary); /* TODO: there's no corresponding compound color */
+$roomlist-bg-color: rgba(38, 40, 45, 0.9);
 $roomsublist-skeleton-ui-bg: linear-gradient(180deg, $background 0%, #ffffff00 100%);
 $roomtile-default-badge-bg-color: $muted-fg-color;
 /* ******************** */
diff --git a/res/themes/legacy-dark/css/_legacy-dark.pcss b/res/themes/legacy-dark/css/_legacy-dark.pcss
index 52041047cf7..cb731798150 100644
--- a/res/themes/legacy-dark/css/_legacy-dark.pcss
+++ b/res/themes/legacy-dark/css/_legacy-dark.pcss
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ $call-primary-content: $primary-content;
 $call-light-quaternary-content: #c1c6cd;
 
 $roomlist-filter-active-bg-color: $panel-actions;
-$roomlist-bg-color: var(--cpd-color-bg-subtle-secondary);
+$roomlist-bg-color: rgba(38, 40, 45, 0.9);
 
 $roomsublist-skeleton-ui-bg: linear-gradient(180deg, #3e444c 0%, #3e444c00 100%);
 
diff --git a/res/themes/legacy-light/css/_legacy-light.pcss b/res/themes/legacy-light/css/_legacy-light.pcss
index be8ad29f65d..ba18532d737 100644
--- a/res/themes/legacy-light/css/_legacy-light.pcss
+++ b/res/themes/legacy-light/css/_legacy-light.pcss
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ $separator: var(--cpd-color-alpha-gray-400);
 /* ******************** */
 
 $roomlist-filter-active-bg-color: $panel-actions;
-$roomlist-bg-color: var(--cpd-color-bg-subtle-secondary);
+$roomlist-bg-color: rgba(245, 245, 245, 0.9);
 $roomlist-header-color: $primary-fg-color;
 $roomsublist-skeleton-ui-bg: linear-gradient(180deg, #ffffff 0%, #ffffff00 100%);
 
diff --git a/res/themes/light/css/_light.pcss b/res/themes/light/css/_light.pcss
index 227666aa212..7882e897db5 100644
--- a/res/themes/light/css/_light.pcss
+++ b/res/themes/light/css/_light.pcss
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ $imagebody-giflabel-color: $background;
 
 /* RoomList */
 /* ******************** */
-$roomlist-bg-color: var(--cpd-color-bg-subtle-secondary);
+$roomlist-bg-color: rgba(245, 245, 245, 0.9);
 $roomsublist-skeleton-ui-bg: linear-gradient(180deg, $background 0%, #ffffff00 100%);
 $roomtile-default-badge-bg-color: $muted-fg-color;
 /* ******************** */