diff --git a/src/m_menu.c b/src/m_menu.c
index 44d29e27..e5a92cee 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.c
+++ b/src/m_menu.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ boolean inhelpscreens; // indicates we are in or just left a help screen
 
 boolean menuactive;    // The menus are up
 
-int menu_background;
+background_t menu_background;
 
 #define SKULLXOFF  -32
 #define LINEHEIGHT  16
@@ -2026,7 +2026,7 @@ menu_t CompatDef =                                           // killough 10/98
 
 void M_DrawBackground(char *patchname, byte *back_dest)
 {
-  if (setup_active && menu_background)
+  if (setup_active && menu_background != background_on)
     return;
 
   R_DrawBackground(patchname, back_dest);
@@ -6533,7 +6533,7 @@ void M_StartControlPanel (void)
 
 boolean M_MenuIsShaded(void)
 {
-  return setup_active && menu_background == 2;
+  return setup_active && menu_background == background_dark;
 }
 
 void M_Drawer (void)
diff --git a/src/m_menu.h b/src/m_menu.h
index eabd9f06..c1e7d227 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.h
+++ b/src/m_menu.h
@@ -184,7 +184,14 @@ typedef struct setup_menu_s
   const char **selectstrings; // [FG] selection of choices
 } setup_menu_t;
 
-extern int menu_background;
+typedef enum
+{
+  background_on,
+  background_off,
+  background_dark,
+} background_t;
+
+extern background_t menu_background;
 extern boolean M_MenuIsShaded(void);
 
 #endif    
diff --git a/src/m_misc.c b/src/m_misc.c
index 807d20ba..17f28bdc 100644
--- a/src/m_misc.c
+++ b/src/m_misc.c
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ default_t defaults[] = {
   {
     "menu_background",
     (config_t *) &menu_background, NULL,
-    {0}, {0,2}, number, ss_gen, wad_no,
+    {background_on}, {background_on,background_dark}, number, ss_gen, wad_no,
     "draw menu background (0 = on, 1 = off, 2 = dark)"
   },