diff --git a/lua/cosmic/config/plugins.lua b/lua/cosmic/config/plugins.lua
index 3195a06..c534e78 100644
--- a/lua/cosmic/config/plugins.lua
+++ b/lua/cosmic/config/plugins.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ local plugins = {
     'gitsigns',
     'kommentary',
     'statusline',
+    'theme', -- if default theme is disabled, you will need to update add your own statusline
     'treesitter',
     'telescope',
     'terminal',
diff --git a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/colors.lua b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/colors.lua
index 1f21d60..a3e8437 100644
--- a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/colors.lua
+++ b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/colors.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
-local themeColors = require('tokyonight.colors').setup()
+local ok, theme = pcall(require, 'tokyonight.colors')
+if not ok then
+  return false
+end
+
+local themeColors = theme.setup()
 
 local colors = {
   white = themeColors.fg_dark,
diff --git a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/highlights.lua b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/highlights.lua
index 430be1e..5fbeb89 100644
--- a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/highlights.lua
+++ b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/highlights.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-local colors = require('cosmic.core.theme.colors')
+local _, colors = pcall(require, 'cosmic.core.theme.colors')
+if not colors then
+  return
+end
 local highlight = require('cosmic.utils').highlight
 
 -- diagnostic virtual text highlights
diff --git a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/ui.lua b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/ui.lua
index d7215ad..6a95609 100644
--- a/lua/cosmic/core/theme/ui.lua
+++ b/lua/cosmic/core/theme/ui.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ local lsp = vim.lsp
 local buf, win
 
 function M.rename()
-  local colors = require('cosmic.core.theme.colors')
   local icons = require('cosmic.core.theme.icons')
   local utils = require('cosmic.utils')
   local config = require('cosmic.config')
@@ -29,8 +28,12 @@ function M.rename()
   api.nvim_win_set_option(win, 'sidescrolloff', 0)
   api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, 'modifiable', true)
   api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf, 'buftype', 'prompt')
-  api.nvim_buf_add_highlight(buf, -1, 'LspRenamePrompt', 0, 0, #prompt_str)
-  highlight('LspRenamePrompt', 'None', colors.selection_caret)
+
+  local _, colors = pcall(require, 'cosmic.core.theme.colors')
+  if colors then
+    api.nvim_buf_add_highlight(buf, -1, 'LspRenamePrompt', 0, 0, #prompt_str)
+    highlight('LspRenamePrompt', 'None', colors.selection_caret)
+  end
 
   vim.fn.prompt_setprompt(buf, prompt_str)
 
diff --git a/lua/cosmic/pluginsInit.lua b/lua/cosmic/pluginsInit.lua
index b536724..bd5a07a 100644
--- a/lua/cosmic/pluginsInit.lua
+++ b/lua/cosmic/pluginsInit.lua
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ return packer.startup(function()
       vim.g.tokyonight_sidebars = { 'qf', 'packer' }
       vim.cmd('color tokyonight')
     end,
-    -- disable = vim.tbl_contains(user_plugins.disable, 'theme'),
+    disable = vim.tbl_contains(user_plugins.disable, 'theme'),
   })
 
   use({ -- icons
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ return packer.startup(function()
       require('cosmic.core.statusline')
     end,
     after = 'nvim-web-devicons',
-    disable = vim.tbl_contains(user_plugins.disable, 'statusline'),
+    disable = vim.tbl_contains(user_plugins.disable, 'statusline') or vim.tbl_contains(user_plugins.disable, 'theme'),
   })
 
   -- file explorer