diff --git a/qt/preferences.py b/qt/preferences.py
index 210bb019..24027484 100644
--- a/qt/preferences.py
+++ b/qt/preferences.py
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ class Preferences(PreferencesBase):
 
         self.result_table_ref_foreground_color =\
             get("ResultTableRefForegroundColor", self.result_table_ref_foreground_color)
+        self.result_table_ref_background_color =\
+            get("ResultTableRefBackgroundColor", self.result_table_ref_background_color)
         self.result_table_delta_foreground_color =\
             get("ResultTableDeltaForegroundColor", self.result_table_delta_foreground_color)
 
@@ -100,6 +102,7 @@ class Preferences(PreferencesBase):
         self.details_dialog_override_theme_icons = False if not ISLINUX else True
         self.details_dialog_viewers_show_scrollbars = True
         self.result_table_ref_foreground_color = QColor(Qt.blue)
+        self.result_table_ref_background_color = QColor(Qt.darkGray)
         self.result_table_delta_foreground_color = QColor(255, 142, 40)  # orange
         self.resultWindowIsMaximized = False
         self.resultWindowRect = None
@@ -143,6 +146,7 @@ class Preferences(PreferencesBase):
         set_("DetailsDialogViewersShowScrollbars", self.details_dialog_viewers_show_scrollbars)
         set_("DetailsTableDeltaForegroundColor", self.details_table_delta_foreground_color)
         set_("ResultTableRefForegroundColor", self.result_table_ref_foreground_color)
+        set_("ResultTableRefBackgroundColor", self.result_table_ref_background_color)
         set_("ResultTableDeltaForegroundColor", self.result_table_delta_foreground_color)
         set_("ResultWindowIsMaximized", self.resultWindowIsMaximized)
         set_("MainWindowIsMaximized", self.mainWindowIsMaximized)
diff --git a/qt/preferences_dialog.py b/qt/preferences_dialog.py
index bae22e4e..4a93ac0e 100644
--- a/qt/preferences_dialog.py
+++ b/qt/preferences_dialog.py
@@ -173,6 +173,9 @@ On MacOS, the tab bar will fill up the window's width instead."))
         self.result_table_ref_foreground_color = ColorPickerButton(self)
         gridlayout.addRow(tr("Reference foreground color:"),
                           self.result_table_ref_foreground_color)
+        self.result_table_ref_background_color = ColorPickerButton(self)
+        gridlayout.addRow(tr("Reference background color:"),
+                          self.result_table_ref_background_color)
         self.result_table_delta_foreground_color = ColorPickerButton(self)
         gridlayout.addRow(tr("Delta foreground color:"),
                           self.result_table_delta_foreground_color)
@@ -287,6 +290,8 @@ use the modifier key to drag the floating window around") if ISLINUX else
                 prefs.details_table_delta_foreground_color)
             self.result_table_ref_foreground_color.setColor(
                 prefs.result_table_ref_foreground_color)
+            self.result_table_ref_background_color.setColor(
+                prefs.result_table_ref_background_color)
             self.result_table_delta_foreground_color.setColor(
                 prefs.result_table_delta_foreground_color)
             try:
@@ -310,6 +315,7 @@ use the modifier key to drag the floating window around") if ISLINUX else
         prefs.details_dialog_vertical_titlebar = ischecked(self.details_dialog_vertical_titlebar)
         prefs.details_table_delta_foreground_color = self.details_table_delta_foreground_color.color
         prefs.result_table_ref_foreground_color = self.result_table_ref_foreground_color.color
+        prefs.result_table_ref_background_color = self.result_table_ref_background_color.color
         prefs.result_table_delta_foreground_color = self.result_table_delta_foreground_color.color
         prefs.destination_type = self.copyMoveDestinationComboBox.currentIndex()
         prefs.custom_command = str(self.customCommandEdit.text())
diff --git a/qt/results_model.py b/qt/results_model.py
index ecc0ee59..1a6fa326 100644
--- a/qt/results_model.py
+++ b/qt/results_model.py
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ class ResultsModel(Table):
 
     def _getData(self, row, column, role):
         if column.name == "marked":
+            if role == Qt.BackgroundRole and row.isref:
+                return QBrush(self.prefs.result_table_ref_background_color)
             if role == Qt.CheckStateRole and row.markable:
                 return Qt.Checked if row.marked else Qt.Unchecked
             return None
@@ -40,6 +42,9 @@ class ResultsModel(Table):
                 return QBrush(self.prefs.result_table_ref_foreground_color)
             elif row.is_cell_delta(column.name):
                 return QBrush(self.prefs.result_table_delta_foreground_color)
+        elif role == Qt.BackgroundRole:
+            if row.isref:
+                return QBrush(self.prefs.result_table_ref_background_color)
         elif role == Qt.FontRole:
             font = QFont(self.view.font())
             if self.prefs.reference_bold_font: