diff --git a/include/settings.hpp b/include/settings.hpp
index 65716ec..13b40e1 100644
--- a/include/settings.hpp
+++ b/include/settings.hpp
@@ -24,5 +24,8 @@ namespace settings {
 
 extern int rateLimit;
 
+// TODO remove after updating all plugins
+extern bool darkMode;
+
 } // namespace settings
 } // namespace rack
diff --git a/src/custom/dep.cpp b/src/custom/dep.cpp
index 019e86b..9cf0016 100644
--- a/src/custom/dep.cpp
+++ b/src/custom/dep.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ namespace settings {
 int rateLimit = 0;
 extern bool preferDarkPanels;
 extern std::string uiTheme;
+bool darkMode; // TODO remove after updating all plugins
 }
 namespace ui {
 void refreshTheme();
@@ -1472,6 +1473,7 @@ namespace rack {
 void switchDarkMode(const bool darkMode)
 {
    #ifndef HEADLESS
+    settings::darkMode = darkMode; // TODO remove after updating all plugins
     settings::preferDarkPanels = darkMode;
     settings::uiTheme = darkMode ? "dark" : "light";
     ui::refreshTheme();