diff --git a/web/chat/chat-thread-list.css b/web/chat/chat-thread-list.css
--- a/web/chat/chat-thread-list.css
+++ b/web/chat/chat-thread-list.css
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@
   color: var(--fg);
 }
 
+div.activeThread .lastMessage.light {
+  color: var(--fg);
+}
+
 div.activeThread.thread:hover {
   background: var(--thread-active-bg);
 }
diff --git a/web/chat/message-preview.react.js b/web/chat/message-preview.react.js
--- a/web/chat/message-preview.react.js
+++ b/web/chat/message-preview.react.js
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
       const usernameStyle = unread ? css.white : css.light;
       usernameText = <span className={usernameStyle}>{username}</span>;
     }
-    const colorStyle = unread ? css.white : css.dark;
+    const colorStyle = unread ? css.white : css.light;
     return (
       <div className={classNames(css.lastMessage, colorStyle)}>
         {usernameText}