diff --git a/src/video/vid_mda.c b/src/video/vid_mda.c
index ed99a169b..6c4070d8c 100644
--- a/src/video/vid_mda.c
+++ b/src/video/vid_mda.c
@@ -210,6 +210,11 @@ mda_poll(void *priv)
                     if (color_fg == 0
                     && special_treatment)
                         color_fg = 7;
+
+                        // gray is black
+                    if (color_fg == 7
+                    && color_bg == 7)
+                        color_fg = 0;
                 }
 
                 if (mda->scanline == 12 && ((attr & 7) == 1))