diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 779d5df6..59e6351f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 - Fix Binding restorMode flooding logs on Qt 5.14.2+
 - Fix with some qml styles hidden menu items leave empty space
 - Fix encrypted messages not showing a user in the sidebar
+- Fix hangs when generating colors with some system theme color schemes (#172)
 
 ## [0.7.0] -- 2020-04-19
 
diff --git a/src/Utils.cpp b/src/Utils.cpp
index 46472401..cd615c24 100644
--- a/src/Utils.cpp
+++ b/src/Utils.cpp
@@ -541,6 +541,7 @@ utils::generateContrastingHexColor(const QString &input, const QString &backgrou
         // If the contrast doesn't meet our criteria,
         // try again and again until they do by modifying first
         // the lightness and then the saturation of the color.
+        int iterationCount = 9;
         while (contrast < 5) {
                 // if our lightness is at it's bounds, try changing
                 // saturation instead.
@@ -587,6 +588,11 @@ utils::generateContrastingHexColor(const QString &input, const QString &backgrou
                                 }
                         }
                 }
+
+                // don't loop forever, just give up at some point!
+                // Someone smart may find a better solution
+                if (--iterationCount < 0)
+                        break;
         }
 
         // get the hex value of the generated color.