diff --git a/platform/ios/MGLMapView.mm b/platform/ios/MGLMapView.mm
index ead1e0a06..3f49d3e6d 100644
--- a/platform/ios/MGLMapView.mm
+++ b/platform/ios/MGLMapView.mm
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ mbgl::DefaultFileSource *mbglFileSource = nullptr;
     [self addSubview:_glView];
 
     _glView.contentMode = UIViewContentModeCenter;
-    [self setBackgroundColor:[UIColor whiteColor]];
+    [self setBackgroundColor:[UIColor clearColor]];
 
     // load extensions
     //