diff --git a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
index 658bee214..2f988ff43 100644
--- a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
+++ b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
@@ -269,9 +269,14 @@ class GifImageFile(ImageFile.ImageFile):
                 dispose_size = (x1 - x0, y1 - y0)
 
                 Image._decompression_bomb_check(dispose_size)
-                self.dispose = Image.core.fill(
-                    "P", dispose_size, self.info.get("background", 0)
+
+                # by convention, attempt to use transparency first
+                color = (
+                    frame_transparency
+                    if frame_transparency is not None
+                    else self.info.get("background", 0)
                 )
+                self.dispose = Image.core.fill("P", dispose_size, color)
             else:
                 # replace with previous contents
                 if self.im: