diff --git a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/scene/layout-rows/RowItemRenderer.tsx b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/scene/layout-rows/RowItemRenderer.tsx
index 8d74ff46e3c..027e6f69323 100644
--- a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/scene/layout-rows/RowItemRenderer.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/scene/layout-rows/RowItemRenderer.tsx
@@ -238,6 +238,7 @@ function getStyles(theme: GrafanaTheme2) {
     }),
     dragging: css({
       cursor: 'move',
+      backgroundColor: theme.colors.background.canvas,
     }),
     wrapperGrow: css({
       flexGrow: 1,