diff --git a/src/micropolisj/gui/MicropolisDrawingArea.java b/src/micropolisj/gui/MicropolisDrawingArea.java
index d19d911..04dcb82 100644
--- a/src/micropolisj/gui/MicropolisDrawingArea.java
+++ b/src/micropolisj/gui/MicropolisDrawingArea.java
@@ -253,10 +253,14 @@ public class MicropolisDrawingArea extends JComponent
 		ToolCursor tp = new ToolCursor();
 		tp.rect = newRect;
 		tp.borderColor = parseColor(
-			strings.getString("tool."+tool.name()+".border")
+			strings.containsKey("tool."+tool.name()+".border") ?
+			strings.getString("tool."+tool.name()+".border") :
+			strings.getString("tool.*.border")
 			);
 		tp.fillColor = parseColor(
-			strings.getString("tool."+tool.name()+".bgcolor")
+			strings.containsKey("tool."+tool.name()+".bgcolor") ?
+			strings.getString("tool."+tool.name()+".bgcolor") :
+			strings.getString("tool.*.bgcolor")
 			);
 		setToolCursor(tp);
 	}
diff --git a/strings/GuiStrings.properties b/strings/GuiStrings.properties
index c798ce1..950076e 100644
--- a/strings/GuiStrings.properties
+++ b/strings/GuiStrings.properties
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ tool.QUERY.icon                = /icqry.png
 tool.QUERY.selected_icon       = /icqryhi.png
 tool.QUERY.tip                 = Query Zone Status
 
+tool.*.border                  = #bf7900
 tool.BULLDOZER.border          = #bf7900
 tool.WIRE.border               = #ffff00
 tool.ROADS.border              = #5d5d5d
@@ -252,6 +253,7 @@ tool.POWERPLANT.border         = #ffff00
 tool.NUCLEAR.border            = #ffff00
 tool.AIRPORT.border            = #bf7900
 
+tool.*.bgcolor                 = rgba(0,0,0,0)
 tool.BULLDOZER.bgcolor         = rgba(0,0,0,0)
 tool.WIRE.bgcolor              = rgba(0,0,0,0.375)
 tool.ROADS.bgcolor             = rgba(255,255,255,0.375)