diff --git a/dnscms/dnscms/blocks.py b/dnscms/dnscms/blocks.py
index 7baa184..1a4e403 100644
--- a/dnscms/dnscms/blocks.py
+++ b/dnscms/dnscms/blocks.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class FeaturedBlock(blocks.StructBlock):
         GraphQLString("link_text", required=True),
         GraphQLString("image_position", required=True),
         GraphQLImage("featured_image_override"),
-        GraphQLString("background_color", required=True),
+        GraphQLString("background_color", required=False),
         GraphQLPage("featured_page", required=True),
     ]