diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/statusbar/statusbarPart.ts b/src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/statusbar/statusbarPart.ts
index 1f2e0cb6e1f..4b00a047013 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/statusbar/statusbarPart.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/statusbar/statusbarPart.ts
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ class StatusbarEntryItem extends Disposable {
 	}
 
 	private applyColor(container: HTMLElement, color: string | ThemeColor | undefined, isBackground?: boolean): void {
-		let colorResult: string | null = null;
+		let colorResult: string | undefined = undefined;
 
 		if (isBackground) {
 			this.backgroundListener.clear();
@@ -904,15 +904,15 @@ class StatusbarEntryItem extends Disposable {
 
 		if (color) {
 			if (isThemeColor(color)) {
-				colorResult = (this.themeService.getColorTheme().getColor(color.id) || Color.transparent).toString();
+				colorResult = this.themeService.getColorTheme().getColor(color.id)?.toString();
 
 				const listener = this.themeService.onDidColorThemeChange(theme => {
-					const colorValue = (theme.getColor(color.id) || Color.transparent).toString();
+					const colorValue = theme.getColor(color.id)?.toString();
 
 					if (isBackground) {
-						container.style.backgroundColor = colorValue;
+						container.style.backgroundColor = colorValue ?? '';
 					} else {
-						container.style.color = colorValue;
+						container.style.color = colorValue ?? '';
 					}
 				});
 
@@ -927,9 +927,9 @@ class StatusbarEntryItem extends Disposable {
 		}
 
 		if (isBackground) {
-			container.style.backgroundColor = colorResult || '';
+			container.style.backgroundColor = colorResult ?? '';
 		} else {
-			container.style.color = colorResult || '';
+			container.style.color = colorResult ?? '';
 		}
 	}