diff --git a/evennia/utils/text2html.py b/evennia/utils/text2html.py
index 1d70c0149..328e28d23 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/text2html.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/text2html.py
@@ -51,6 +51,14 @@ class TextToHTMLparser(object):
         ] + [("color-%03i" % (i+16), XTERM256_FG % ("%03i" % (i+16))) for i in xrange(240)]
 
     colorback = [
+            ('bgcolor-000', ANSI_BACK_BLACK), # pure black
+            ('bgcolor-001', ANSI_BACK_RED),
+            ('bgcolor-002', ANSI_BACK_GREEN),
+            ('bgcolor-003', ANSI_BACK_YELLOW),
+            ('bgcolor-004', ANSI_BACK_BLUE),
+            ('bgcolor-005', ANSI_BACK_MAGENTA),
+            ('bgcolor-006', ANSI_BACK_CYAN),
+            ('bgcolor-007', ANSI_BACK_WHITE), # light grey
             ('bgcolor-000', unhilite + ANSI_BLACK), # pure black
             ('bgcolor-001', unhilite + ANSI_RED),
             ('bgcolor-002', unhilite + ANSI_GREEN),