diff --git a/packages/theme/report.api.md b/packages/theme/report.api.md
index 0c9e87e958..faec0b8456 100644
--- a/packages/theme/report.api.md
+++ b/packages/theme/report.api.md
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ export type BackstagePaletteAdditions = {
     closeButtonColor?: string;
     warning?: string;
   };
-  code: {
+  code?: {
     background?: string;
   };
 };
diff --git a/packages/theme/src/base/types.ts b/packages/theme/src/base/types.ts
index 72a7632dd9..8f22155e09 100644
--- a/packages/theme/src/base/types.ts
+++ b/packages/theme/src/base/types.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ export type BackstagePaletteAdditions = {
     closeButtonColor?: string;
     warning?: string;
   };
-  code: {
+  code?: {
     background?: string;
   };
 };