diff --git a/apps/client/src/stylesheets/theme-next/shell.css b/apps/client/src/stylesheets/theme-next/shell.css
index a0f73a082..9860c1c2f 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/stylesheets/theme-next/shell.css
+++ b/apps/client/src/stylesheets/theme-next/shell.css
@@ -35,8 +35,14 @@ body.mobile {
 }
 
 /* #region Mica */
-body.background-effects.theme-supports-background-effects.platform-win32 {
+
+body.background-effects.platform-win32 {
+    /* Quirk: --background-material is read before "theme-supports-background-effects" class
+     * is applied. Apply the matterial even if the theme doesn't support it. */
     --background-material: tabbed;
+}
+
+body.background-effects.theme-supports-background-effects.platform-win32 {
     --launcher-pane-horiz-border-color: var(--launcher-pane-horiz-border-color-bgfx);
     --launcher-pane-horiz-background-color: var(--launcher-pane-horiz-background-color-bgfx);
     --launcher-pane-vert-background-color: var(--launcher-pane-vert-background-color-bgfx);
@@ -46,11 +52,14 @@ body.background-effects.theme-supports-background-effects.platform-win32 {
     --root-background: transparent;
 }
 
+body.background-effects.platform-win32.layout-vertical {
+    --background-material: mica;
+}
+
 body.background-effects.theme-supports-background-effects.platform-win32.layout-vertical {
     --left-pane-background-color: var(--window-background-color-bgfx);
     --center-pane-background-color-bgfx: var(--center-pane-vert-layout-background-color-bgfx);
     --right-pane-background-color: var(--right-pane-background-color-bgfx);
-    --background-material: mica;
 }
 
 body.background-effects.theme-supports-background-effects.platform-win32.layout-horizontal {