diff --git a/lua/core/theme.lua b/lua/core/theme.lua
index 34b415b..1494b62 100644
--- a/lua/core/theme.lua
+++ b/lua/core/theme.lua
@@ -1,9 +1,18 @@
 -- Set colorscheme to dracula
 vim.cmd[[colorscheme catppuccin]]
 
--- Enable for lualine as well
+-- disable transparent background for lualine
+local custom_catppuccin = function ()
+  -- Use catppuccin's internal "utils" lualine theme; this isn't ideal,
+  -- but for whatever reason, returning require("lualine.themes.catppuccin")
+  -- leads to lualine light/dark theme not changing automatically
+  local catppuccin = require("catppuccin.utils.lualine")(require("catppuccin").flavour)
+  local palette = require("catppuccin.palettes").get_palette()
+  catppuccin.normal.c.bg = palette.mantle
+  return catppuccin
+end
 require("lualine").setup {
   options = {
-    theme = "catppuccin",
+    theme = custom_catppuccin,
   }
 }
diff --git a/lua/plugins/bufferline.lua b/lua/plugins/bufferline.lua
index 4014f98..b994bc1 100644
--- a/lua/plugins/bufferline.lua
+++ b/lua/plugins/bufferline.lua
@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ return {
   },
   {
     "nvim-tree/nvim-web-devicons",
-    lazy = true
+    lazy = true,
   },
 }
diff --git a/lua/plugins/theme.lua b/lua/plugins/theme.lua
index a2ccf6a..881a291 100644
--- a/lua/plugins/theme.lua
+++ b/lua/plugins/theme.lua
@@ -12,6 +12,15 @@ return {
         lsp_trouble = true,
         which_key = true,
       },
+      -- transparent_background needs some highlight fixups
+      custom_highlights = function(colors)
+        return {
+          -- fixup telescope selection color
+          TelescopeSelection = { fg = colors.text, bg = colors.surface0 },
+          -- make bufferline more readable
+          BufferlineFill = { bg = colors.mantle },
+        }
+      end,
     },
   },
   {