diff --git a/res/css/structures/_RoomSearch.scss b/res/css/structures/_RoomSearch.scss
index 80c1a044b3..bbd60a5ff3 100644
--- a/res/css/structures/_RoomSearch.scss
+++ b/res/css/structures/_RoomSearch.scss
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ limitations under the License.
     }
 
     &.mx_RoomSearch_focused, &.mx_RoomSearch_hasQuery {
-        background-color: $roomlist-filter-active-bg-color;
+        background-color: $background;
 
         .mx_RoomSearch_clearButton {
             width: 16px;
diff --git a/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.scss b/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.scss
index a5d0775a6b..d88910d9d1 100644
--- a/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.scss
+++ b/res/themes/dark/css/_dark.scss
@@ -124,7 +124,6 @@ $composer-e2e-icon-color: $header-panel-text-primary-color;
 $theme-button-bg-color: #e3e8f0;
 
 $roomlist-button-bg-color: rgba(141, 151, 165, 0.2); // Buttons include the filter box, explore button, and sublist buttons
-$roomlist-filter-active-bg-color: $background;
 $roomlist-bg-color: rgba(33, 38, 44, 0.90);
 $roomlist-header-color: $tertiary-content;
 $roomsublist-divider-color: $primary-content;
diff --git a/res/themes/light/css/_light.scss b/res/themes/light/css/_light.scss
index b8aefd6a4b..f08afadf2a 100644
--- a/res/themes/light/css/_light.scss
+++ b/res/themes/light/css/_light.scss
@@ -186,7 +186,6 @@ $voipcall-plinth-color: $system;
 $theme-button-bg-color: $quinary-content;
 
 $roomlist-button-bg-color: rgba(141, 151, 165, 0.2); // Buttons include the filter box, explore button, and sublist buttons
-$roomlist-filter-active-bg-color: $background;
 $roomlist-bg-color: rgba(245, 245, 245, 0.90);
 $roomlist-header-color: $tertiary-content;
 $roomsublist-divider-color: $primary-content;