diff --git a/lib/cucumber/formatter/html.rb b/lib/cucumber/formatter/html.rb
index 5d60e032b0..d1ae8b7a37 100644
--- a/lib/cucumber/formatter/html.rb
+++ b/lib/cucumber/formatter/html.rb
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@ def set_scenario_color_failed
         @builder.script do
           @builder.text!("makeRed('cucumber-header');") unless @header_red
           @header_red = true
-          @builder.text!("makeRed('scenario_#{@scenario_number}');") unless @scenario_red
+          scenario_or_background = @in_background ? "background" : "scenario"
+          @builder.text!("makeRed('#{scenario_or_background}_#{@scenario_number}');") unless @scenario_red
           @scenario_red = true
         end
       end
@@ -425,7 +426,8 @@ def set_scenario_color_failed
       def set_scenario_color_pending
         @builder.script do
           @builder.text!("makeYellow('cucumber-header');") unless @header_red
-          @builder.text!("makeYellow('scenario_#{@scenario_number}');") unless @scenario_red
+          scenario_or_background = @in_background ? "background" : "scenario"
+          @builder.text!("makeYellow('#{scenario_or_background}_#{@scenario_number}');") unless @scenario_red
         end
       end