diff --git a/README.mkd b/README.mkd
index 940c8a2..5d50635 100644
--- a/README.mkd
+++ b/README.mkd
@@ -183,24 +183,19 @@ Please note that vim-gitgutter won't override any colours or highlights you've s
 
 #### Sign column
 
-The background colour of the sign column is controlled by the `SignColumn` highlight group.  This will be either set in your colorscheme or Vim's default.
+By default vim-gitgutter will make the sign column look like the line number column.
 
-To find out where it's set, and to what it's set, use `:verbose highlight SignColumn`.
-
-If your `SignColumn` is not set (`:highlight SignColumn` gives you `SignColumn xxx cleared`), vim-gitgutter will set it to the same as your line number column (i.e. the `LineNr` highlight group).
-
-To change your sign column's appearance, update your colorscheme or `~/.vimrc` like this:
-
-* For the same appearance as your line number column: `highlight clear SignColumn`
-* For a specific appearance on terminal Vim: `highlight SignColumn ctermbg=whatever`
-* For a specific appearance on gVim/MacVim: `highlight SignColumn guibg=whatever`
-
-If you use [solarized](https://github.com/altercation/vim-colors-solarized)-dark, try the following snippet in your `~/.vimrc`:
+To customise your sign column's background color, first tell vim-gitgutter to leave it alone:
 
 ```viml
-set background=dark
-colorscheme solarized
-highlight clear SignColumn
+let g:gitgutter_override_sign_column_highlight = 0
+```
+
+And then either update your colorscheme's `SignColumn` highlight group or set it in your vimrc:
+
+```viml
+highlight SignColumn ctermbg=whatever    " terminal Vim
+highlight SignColumn guibg=whatever      " gVim/MacVim
 ```
 
 By default the sign column will appear when there are signs to show and disappear when there aren't.  If you would always like the sign column to be there, add `let g:gitgutter_sign_column_always = 1` to your `~/.vimrc`.
diff --git a/autoload/gitgutter/highlight.vim b/autoload/gitgutter/highlight.vim
index f180acc..63bca72 100644
--- a/autoload/gitgutter/highlight.vim
+++ b/autoload/gitgutter/highlight.vim
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 function! gitgutter#highlight#define_sign_column_highlight()
-  highlight default link SignColumn LineNr
+  if g:gitgutter_override_sign_column_highlight
+    highlight! link SignColumn LineNr
+  else
+    highlight default link SignColumn LineNr
+  endif
 endfunction
 
 function! gitgutter#highlight#define_highlights()
diff --git a/doc/gitgutter.txt b/doc/gitgutter.txt
index 62bdba2..bff1c3c 100644
--- a/doc/gitgutter.txt
+++ b/doc/gitgutter.txt
@@ -130,23 +130,17 @@ set in your colorscheme.
 
 SIGN COLUMN
 
-The background colour of the sign column is controlled by the |hlSignColumn|
-highlight group.  This will be either set in your colorscheme or Vim's default.
+By default vim-gitgutter will make the sign column look like the line number
+column (i.e. the |hl-LineNr| highlight group).
 
-To find out where it's set, and to what it's set, use:
+To customise your sign column's background color, first tell vim-gitgutter to
+leave it alone:
 >
-  :verbose highlight SignColumn
+  let g:gitgutter_override_sign_column_highlight = 0
 <
 
-If your `SignColumn` is not set, i.e if
->
-  :highlight SignColumn  " gives you `SignColumn xxx cleared`
-<
-vim-gitgutter will set it to the same as your line number column (i.e. the
-|hl-LineNr| highlight group).
-
-To change your sign column's appearance, update your colorscheme or |vimrc|
-like this:
+And then either update your colorscheme's |hlSignColumn| highlight group or set
+it in your |vimrc|:
 
   Desired appearance                  Command ~
   Same as line number column          highlight clear SignColumn
diff --git a/plugin/gitgutter.vim b/plugin/gitgutter.vim
index 47ecb01..4f533a9 100644
--- a/plugin/gitgutter.vim
+++ b/plugin/gitgutter.vim
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ call s:set('g:gitgutter_max_signs',                 500)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_signs',                       1)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_highlight_lines',             0)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_sign_column_always',          0)
+call s:set('g:gitgutter_override_sign_column_highlight', 1)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_realtime',                    1)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_eager',                       1)
 call s:set('g:gitgutter_sign_added',                '+')