diff --git a/line.py b/line.py
index 71df9de..77662d7 100644
--- a/line.py
+++ b/line.py
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ def transparency_settings(self):
     from .gutter_color import current_directory
     # transparency settings
     use_transparency = self.settings.get("use_transparency")
+    background_path = None
     if use_transparency == True:
       background_path = os.path.join(current_directory(True),"transparency_circle_mid.png")
     elif use_transparency in ("light", "mid"):