diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 9c52e27..3fa4532 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -2027,7 +2027,7 @@ strhandle(void)
 			else if (xsetcolorname(defaultfg, p))
 				fprintf(stderr, "erresc: invalid foreground color: %s\n", p);
 			else
-				redraw();
+				tfulldirt();
 			return;
 		case 11:
 			if (narg < 2)
@@ -2040,7 +2040,7 @@ strhandle(void)
 			else if (xsetcolorname(defaultbg, p))
 				fprintf(stderr, "erresc: invalid background color: %s\n", p);
 			else
-				redraw();
+				tfulldirt();
 			return;
 		case 12:
 			if (narg < 2)
@@ -2053,7 +2053,7 @@ strhandle(void)
 			else if (xsetcolorname(defaultcs, p))
 				fprintf(stderr, "erresc: invalid cursor color: %s\n", p);
 			else
-				redraw();
+				tfulldirt();
 			return;
 		case 4: /* color set */
 			if (narg < 3)
@@ -2075,7 +2075,7 @@ strhandle(void)
 				 * TODO if defaultbg color is changed, borders
 				 * are dirty
 				 */
-				redraw();
+				tfulldirt();
 			}
 			return;
 		}