diff --git a/core/prelude-custom.el b/core/prelude-custom.el
index 2de4122..c271a7e 100644
--- a/core/prelude-custom.el
+++ b/core/prelude-custom.el
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Only modes that don't derive from `prog-mode' should be listed here."
   :type 'number
   :group 'prelude)
 
-(defcustom prelude-theme 'zenburn
+(defcustom prelude-theme 'monokai
   "The default color theme, change this in your /personal/preload config."
   :type 'symbol
   :group 'prelude)
diff --git a/core/prelude-packages.el b/core/prelude-packages.el
index ecf8b97..f498add 100644
--- a/core/prelude-packages.el
+++ b/core/prelude-packages.el
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
     undo-tree
     volatile-highlights
     which-key
-    zenburn-theme
+    monokai-theme
     zop-to-char)
   "A list of packages to ensure are installed at launch.")
 
diff --git a/core/prelude-ui.el b/core/prelude-ui.el
index 2948323..ced4669 100644
--- a/core/prelude-ui.el
+++ b/core/prelude-ui.el
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 ;;; Commentary:
 
 ;; We dispense with most of the point and click UI, reduce the startup noise,
-;; configure smooth scolling and a nice theme that's easy on the eyes (zenburn).
+;; configure smooth scolling and a nice theme that's easy on the eyes (monokai).
 
 ;;; License:
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
                                             (abbreviate-file-name (buffer-file-name))
                                           "%b"))))
 
-;; use zenburn as the default theme
+;; use monokai as the default theme
 (when prelude-theme
   (load-theme prelude-theme t))