diff --git a/terminatorlib/config.py b/terminatorlib/config.py
index 4abc564b..1d62254c 100644
--- a/terminatorlib/config.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/config.py
@@ -250,6 +250,8 @@ DEFAULTS = {
                 'autoclean_groups'      : True,
                 'http_proxy'            : '',
                 'ignore_hosts'          : ['localhost','127.0.0.0/8','*.local'],
+                'background_image'      : '',
+                'background_alpha'      : 0.0
             },
         },
         'layouts': {
diff --git a/terminatorlib/terminal.py b/terminatorlib/terminal.py
index 95bbf473..c02dc27f 100644
--- a/terminatorlib/terminal.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/terminal.py
@@ -135,7 +135,14 @@ class Terminal(Gtk.VBox):
         self.pending_on_vte_size_allocate = False
 
         self.vte = Vte.Terminal()
-        self.background_image = GdkPixbuf.Pixbuf.new_from_file("/Users/mattrose/test.jpg")
+        self.background_image = None
+        if self.config['background_image'] != '':
+            try: 
+                self.background_image = GdkPixbuf.Pixbuf.new_from_file(self.config['background_image'])
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        self.background_alpha = self.config['background_alpha']
         self.vte.set_allow_hyperlink(True)
         self.vte._draw_data = None
         if not hasattr(self.vte, "set_opacity") or \
@@ -1128,6 +1135,11 @@ class Terminal(Gtk.VBox):
         widget._draw_data = None
 
     def background_draw(self, widget, cr):
+        if not self.background_image:
+                return(False)
+        print("bgcolor obj: %s" % self.bgcolor.alpha)
+        over = self.bgcolor
+        over.alpha = self.background_alpha
         rect = self.vte.get_allocation()
         xratio = float(rect.width) / float(self.background_image.get_width())
         yratio = float(rect.height) / float(self.background_image.get_height())
@@ -1135,6 +1147,8 @@ class Terminal(Gtk.VBox):
         cr.scale(xratio,yratio)
         Gdk.cairo_set_source_pixbuf(cr, self.background_image, 0, 0)
         cr.paint()
+        Gdk.cairo_set_source_rgba(cr,over)
+        cr.paint()
         cr.restore()
 
     def on_draw(self, widget, context):