diff --git a/lua/base46/chadlights.lua b/lua/base46/chadlights.lua
index a77d0fb..78bb8d2 100644
--- a/lua/base46/chadlights.lua
+++ b/lua/base46/chadlights.lua
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ if polish_hl then
 end
 
 -- override user highlights if there are any
-local user_highlights = ui.hl_override
+local user_hl_override = vim.deepcopy(ui.hl_override)
+local user_hl_add = vim.deepcopy(ui.hl_add)
+local user_highlights = merge_tb(user_hl_override, user_hl_add)
 local colors = require("base46").get_theme_tb "base_30"
 
 -- fg = "white" set by user becomes fg = colors["white"]
diff --git a/lua/base46/init.lua b/lua/base46/init.lua
index df8be69..1af73b0 100644
--- a/lua/base46/init.lua
+++ b/lua/base46/init.lua
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ M.load_all_highlights = function()
   end
 end
 
-M.turn_str_to_color = function(tb)
+M.turn_str_to_color = function(tb_in)
+  local tb = vim.deepcopy(tb_in)
   local colors = M.get_theme_tb "base_30"
 
   for _, groups in pairs(tb) do