diff --git a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
index 5dfb89d..6559e2c 100644
--- a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
+++ b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
@@ -857,6 +857,7 @@ def main():
     while True:
         try:
             now = utime.ticks_ms()
+            global backlight_brightness, backlight_color
 
             if _disco_end_time > 0 and utime.ticks_diff(_disco_end_time, now) <= 0:
                 _disco_end_time = 0