diff --git a/scss/_nav.scss b/scss/_nav.scss
index 4e87e43368..398ee1039b 100644
--- a/scss/_nav.scss
+++ b/scss/_nav.scss
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     @include plain-hover-focus {
       color: $nav-disabled-link-hover-color;
       cursor: $cursor-disabled;
-      background-color: transparent;
+      background-color: $nav-disabled-link-hover-bg;
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/scss/_variables.scss b/scss/_variables.scss
index aeeec77ff6..a01443dc51 100644
--- a/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -396,6 +396,7 @@ $nav-link-hover-bg:                         $gray-lighter !default;
 
 $nav-disabled-link-color:                   $gray-light !default;
 $nav-disabled-link-hover-color:             $gray-light !default;
+$nav-disabled-link-hover-bg:                transparent !default;
 
 $nav-tabs-border-color:                     #ddd !default;