diff --git a/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_GroupView.scss b/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_GroupView.scss
index c830a79d7..2f7cd1872 100644
--- a/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_GroupView.scss
+++ b/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_GroupView.scss
@@ -310,8 +310,8 @@ limitations under the License.
 }
 
 .mx_GroupView_groupDesc_placeholder {
-    background-color: $group-my-groups-placeholder-bg;
-    color: $group-my-groups-placeholder-fg;
+    background-color: $info-plinth-bg-color;
+    color: $info-plinth-fg-color;
     border-radius: 10px;
     text-align: center;
 
diff --git a/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_MyGroups.scss b/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_MyGroups.scss
index d7cbda9a9..f76aefe38 100644
--- a/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_MyGroups.scss
+++ b/src/skins/vector/css/matrix-react-sdk/structures/_MyGroups.scss
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ limitations under the License.
 }
 
 .mx_MyGroups_placeholder {
-    background-color: $group-my-groups-placeholder-bg;
-    color: $group-my-groups-placeholder-fg;
+    background-color: $info-plinth-bg-color;
+    color: $info-plinth-fg-color;
     line-height: 400px;
     border-radius: 10px;
     text-align: center;
diff --git a/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_base.scss b/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_base.scss
index 1a0fa5b40..d204829d4 100644
--- a/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_base.scss
+++ b/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_base.scss
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ $warning-color: #ff0064;
 $mention-user-pill-bg-color: #ff0064;
 $other-user-pill-bg-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
 
-// groups
-$group-my-groups-placeholder-bg: #f7f7f7;
-$group-my-groups-placeholder-fg: #888;
+// informational plinth
+$info-plinth-bg-color: #f7f7f7;
+$info-plinth-fg-color: #888;
 
 $preview-bar-bg-color: #f7f7f7;
 
diff --git a/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_dark.scss b/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_dark.scss
index 034bd748e..d6fa88d6c 100644
--- a/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_dark.scss
+++ b/src/skins/vector/css/themes/_dark.scss
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ $focus-brightness: 200%;
 $warning-color: #ff0064;
 
 // groups
-$group-my-groups-placeholder-bg: #454545;
+$info-plinth-bg-color: #454545;
 
 $other-user-pill-bg-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);