diff --git a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/config/ChatColorConfig.java b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/config/ChatColorConfig.java
index e19b6df700..9408331897 100644
--- a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/config/ChatColorConfig.java
+++ b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/config/ChatColorConfig.java
@@ -190,7 +190,10 @@ public interface ChatColorConfig extends Config
 		name = "Game message highlight",
 		description = "Color of highlights in Game Messages"
 	)
-	Color opaqueGameMessageHighlight();
+	default Color opaqueGameMessageHighlight()
+	{
+		return Color.decode("#EF1020");
+	}
 
 	@ConfigItem(
 		position = 49,
@@ -416,7 +419,10 @@ public interface ChatColorConfig extends Config
 		name = "Game message highlight (transparent)",
 		description = "Color of highlights in Game Messages (transparent)"
 	)
-	Color transparentGameMessageHighlight();
+	default Color transparentGameMessageHighlight()
+	{
+		return Color.decode("#EF1020");
+	}
 
 	@ConfigItem(
 		position = 79,