diff --git a/lib/gears/color.lua.in b/lib/gears/color.lua.in
index 47e325269..99bff83a0 100644
--- a/lib/gears/color.lua.in
+++ b/lib/gears/color.lua.in
@@ -71,7 +71,9 @@ function color.create_png_pattern(file)
         file = file.file
     end
     local image = surface.load(file)
-    return cairo.Pattern.create_for_surface(image)
+    local pattern = cairo.Pattern.create_for_surface(image)
+    pattern:set_extend(cairo.Extend.REPEAT)
+    return pattern
 end
 
 -- Add stops to the given pattern.