diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 84086e32..c80ef6f0 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ FlatLaf Change Log
 
 #### Fixed bugs
 
+- MenuBar: Do not fill background if non-opaque and having custom background
+  color. (issue #409)
 - InternalFrame: Fill background to avoid that parent may shine through internal
   frame if it contains non-opaque components. (better fix for issue #274)
 
diff --git a/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatMenuBarUI.java b/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatMenuBarUI.java
index f1d9e038..1f4b217e 100644
--- a/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatMenuBarUI.java
+++ b/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatMenuBarUI.java
@@ -180,11 +180,15 @@ public class FlatMenuBarUI
 	protected Color getBackground( JComponent c ) {
 		Color background = c.getBackground();
 
-		// paint background if opaque or if having custom background color
-		if( c.isOpaque() || !(background instanceof UIResource) )
+		// paint background if opaque
+		if( c.isOpaque() )
 			return background;
 
-		// paint background if menu bar is not the "main" menu bar
+		// do not paint background if non-opaque and having custom background color
+		if( !(background instanceof UIResource) )
+			return null;
+
+		// paint background if menu bar is not the "main" menu bar (e.g. in internal frame)
 		JRootPane rootPane = SwingUtilities.getRootPane( c );
 		if( rootPane == null || !(rootPane.getParent() instanceof Window) || rootPane.getJMenuBar() != c )
 			return background;