diff --git a/nix-system-configs/modules/styling/forgejo/theme-custom.css b/nix-system-configs/modules/styling/forgejo/theme-custom.css
index f3fa8d3..ff5554f 100644
--- a/nix-system-configs/modules/styling/forgejo/theme-custom.css
+++ b/nix-system-configs/modules/styling/forgejo/theme-custom.css
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
   font-display: swap;
 }
 
+/* import base Forgejo theme so we only override what we need */
+@import "./theme-forgejo-auto.css";
+
 :root {
   /* prefer the Maple Mono Nerd Font for monospace usage */
   --fonts-monospace: 'Maple Mono NF' !important;