diff --git a/src/atom.coffee b/src/atom.coffee
index c963cd8a4..0e8f85f5e 100644
--- a/src/atom.coffee
+++ b/src/atom.coffee
@@ -581,6 +581,8 @@ class Atom extends Model
     @state.windowDimensions = dimensions if @isValidDimensions(dimensions)
 
   storeWindowBackground: ->
+    return if @inSpecMode()
+
     workspaceElement = @views?.getView(@workspace)
     backgroundColor = window.getComputedStyle(workspaceElement)['background-color']
     window.localStorage.setItem('atom:window-background-color', backgroundColor)