diff --git a/bundles/org.eclipse.e4.ui.workbench.renderers.swt/src/org/eclipse/e4/ui/workbench/renderers/swt/CTabRendering.java b/bundles/org.eclipse.e4.ui.workbench.renderers.swt/src/org/eclipse/e4/ui/workbench/renderers/swt/CTabRendering.java
index f747447..36c6de0 100644
--- a/bundles/org.eclipse.e4.ui.workbench.renderers.swt/src/org/eclipse/e4/ui/workbench/renderers/swt/CTabRendering.java
+++ b/bundles/org.eclipse.e4.ui.workbench.renderers.swt/src/org/eclipse/e4/ui/workbench/renderers/swt/CTabRendering.java
@@ -524,10 +524,16 @@
 		if (selectedTabFillColors.length == 1) {
 			gc.setBackground(selectedTabFillColors[0]);
 			gc.setForeground(selectedTabFillColors[0]);
-		} else if (!onBottom && selectedTabFillColors.length == 2) {
+		} else if (selectedTabFillColors.length == 2) {
 			// for now we support the 2-colors gradient for selected tab
-			backgroundPattern = new Pattern(gc.getDevice(), 0, 0, 0, bounds.height + 1, selectedTabFillColors[0],
-					selectedTabFillColors[1]);
+			if (!onBottom) {
+				backgroundPattern = new Pattern(gc.getDevice(), 0, 0, 0, bounds.height + 1, selectedTabFillColors[0],
+						selectedTabFillColors[1]);
+			} else {
+				backgroundPattern = new Pattern(gc.getDevice(), 0, 0, 0, bounds.height + 1, selectedTabFillColors[1],
+						selectedTabFillColors[0]);
+			}
+
 			gc.setBackgroundPattern(backgroundPattern);
 			gc.setForeground(selectedTabFillColors[1]);
 		}