diff --git a/terminatorlib/config.py b/terminatorlib/config.py
index 1e368ff7..7c24f59e 100644
--- a/terminatorlib/config.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/config.py
@@ -215,8 +215,9 @@ DEFAULTS = {
                 'color_scheme'          : 'grey_on_black',
                 'cursor_blink'          : True,
                 'cursor_shape'          : 'block',
-                'cursor_color'          : '',
-                'cursor_color_fg'       : True,
+                'cursor_fg_color'       : '#000000',
+                'cursor_bg_color'       : '#ffffff',
+                'cursor_color_default'  : True,
                 'term'                  : 'xterm-256color',
                 'colorterm'             : 'truecolor',
                 'font'                  : 'Mono 10',
@@ -844,4 +845,3 @@ class ConfigBase(Borg):
     def set_layout(self, layout, tree):
         """Set a layout"""
         self.layouts[layout] = tree
-
diff --git a/terminatorlib/terminal.py b/terminatorlib/terminal.py
index 0226cc1b..d2cca46a 100644
--- a/terminatorlib/terminal.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/terminal.py
@@ -837,12 +837,18 @@ class Terminal(Gtk.VBox):
 
     def set_cursor_color(self):
         """Set the cursor color appropriately"""
-        if self.config['cursor_color_fg']:
+        if self.config['cursor_color_default']:
             self.vte.set_color_cursor(None)
+            self.vte.set_color_cursor_foreground(None)
         else:
-            cursor_color = Gdk.RGBA()
-            cursor_color.parse(self.config['cursor_color'])
-            self.vte.set_color_cursor(cursor_color)
+            # foreground
+            cursor_fg_color = Gdk.RGBA()
+            cursor_fg_color.parse(self.config['cursor_fg_color'])
+            self.vte.set_color_cursor_foreground(cursor_fg_color)
+            # background
+            cursor_bg_color = Gdk.RGBA()
+            cursor_bg_color.parse(self.config['cursor_bg_color'])
+            self.vte.set_color_cursor(cursor_bg_color)
 
     def get_window_title(self):
         """Return the window title"""