diff --git a/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php b/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
index 0e1ab13a5..15a350896 100644
--- a/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
+++ b/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		$settings = array(
 			'values'  => array(),
 			'channel' => esc_js( $_POST['customize_messenger_channel'] ),
+			'backgroundImageHasDefault' => current_theme_supports( 'custom-background', 'default-image' ),
 		);
 
 		foreach ( $this->settings as $id => $setting ) {
diff --git a/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.dev.js b/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.dev.js
index 28af66b8d..15ffc3c54 100644
--- a/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.dev.js
+++ b/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.dev.js
@@ -109,13 +109,14 @@
 				return;
 
 			update = function() {
-				var css = '';
+				var css = '',
+					hasDefault = api.settings.backgroundImageHasDefault;
 
 				// The body will support custom backgrounds if either
 				// the color or image are set.
 				//
 				// See get_body_class() in /wp-includes/post-template.php
-				body.toggleClass( 'custom-background', !! ( color() || image() ) );
+				body.toggleClass( 'custom-background', !! ( color() || image() || hasDefault ) );
 
 				if ( color() )
 					css += 'background-color: ' + color() + ';';
@@ -125,6 +126,8 @@
 					css += 'background-position: top ' + position_x() + ';';
 					css += 'background-repeat: ' + repeat() + ';';
 					css += 'background-position: top ' + attachment() + ';';
+				} else if ( hasDefault ) {
+					css += 'background-image: none;';
 				}
 
 				// Refresh the stylesheet by removing and recreating it.