diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less b/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
index d3c748a05..f168460e0 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/less/variables.less
@@ -26,3 +26,6 @@
 @cell_padding:                  6px;
 @cell_border_width:             1px;
 @cell_left_border_width:        5px;
+
+@navbar-default-bg:               darken(#f8f8f8, 10%);
+@navbar-default-link-color:       darken(#777, 13%);