diff --git a/packages/theme/report.api.md b/packages/theme/report.api.md
index a0c41ca45c..0c9e87e958 100644
--- a/packages/theme/report.api.md
+++ b/packages/theme/report.api.md
@@ -313,7 +313,6 @@ export const palettes: {
     tabbar: {
       indicator: string;
     };
-    code: {};
   };
   dark: {
     type: 'dark';
@@ -388,7 +387,6 @@ export const palettes: {
     tabbar: {
       indicator: string;
     };
-    code: {};
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/packages/theme/src/base/palettes.ts b/packages/theme/src/base/palettes.ts
index db33106094..5e70afd7b8 100644
--- a/packages/theme/src/base/palettes.ts
+++ b/packages/theme/src/base/palettes.ts
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ export const palettes = {
     tabbar: {
       indicator: '#9BF0E1',
     },
-    code: {},
   },
   dark: {
     type: 'dark' as const,
@@ -164,6 +163,5 @@ export const palettes = {
     tabbar: {
       indicator: '#9BF0E1',
     },
-    code: {},
   },
 };
diff --git a/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/transformers/styles/rules/variables.ts b/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/transformers/styles/rules/variables.ts
index e87e61f9b3..c419d5f71b 100644
--- a/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/transformers/styles/rules/variables.ts
+++ b/plugins/techdocs/src/reader/transformers/styles/rules/variables.ts
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ export default ({ theme }: RuleOptions) => `
   /* CODE */
   --md-code-fg-color: ${theme.palette.text.primary};
   --md-code-bg-color: ${
-    theme.palette.code.background || theme.palette.background.paper
+    theme.palette.code?.background ?? theme.palette.background.paper
   };
   --md-code-hl-color: ${alpha(theme.palette.warning.main, 0.5)};
   --md-code-hl-color--light: var(--md-code-hl-color);