diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f7e5b76..99daeca 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -499,6 +499,13 @@ Or you can use another theme altogether by adding something in `personal/preload
   install it from MELPA first (`M-x package-install RET
   solarized-theme`).
 
+Finally, if you don't want any theme at all, you can add this to your
+`personal/preload`:
+
+```lisp
+(setq prelude-theme nil)
+```
+
 ### Personalizing
 
 Fork the official Prelude repo and add your own touch to it. You're advised to avoid changing stuff outside of the
diff --git a/core/prelude-ui.el b/core/prelude-ui.el
index 3544051..bf59f57 100644
--- a/core/prelude-ui.el
+++ b/core/prelude-ui.el
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@
                                           "%b"))))
 
 ;; use zenburn as the default theme
-(load-theme prelude-theme t)
+(when prelude-theme
+  (load-theme prelude-theme t))
 
 (provide 'prelude-ui)
 ;;; prelude-ui.el ends here