diff --git a/lua/feline/generator.lua b/lua/feline/generator.lua
index b6bf5a0..6e794fe 100644
--- a/lua/feline/generator.lua
+++ b/lua/feline/generator.lua
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ function M.generate_statusline(winid)
                 sections[#sections+1] = parse_statusline_section(section, winid, statusline_type, i)
             end
 
-            statusline_str = table.concat(sections, '%=')
+            statusline_str = table.concat(sections, string.format('%%#%s#%%=', defhl()))
         end
     end