diff --git a/src/sugar3/graphics/alert.py b/src/sugar3/graphics/alert.py
index 5a9e2ef7..6d009248 100644
--- a/src/sugar3/graphics/alert.py
+++ b/src/sugar3/graphics/alert.py
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ class _TimeoutIcon(Gtk.Alignment):
         radius = w / 2
         context.arc(x, y, radius, 0, 2 * math.pi)
         widget_style = self.get_style_context()
-        color = widget_style.get_background_color(self.get_state())
+        color = widget_style.get_background_color(self.get_state_flags())
         context.set_source_rgb(color.red, color.green, color.blue)
         context.fill_preserve()