diff --git a/src/core/core.legend.js b/src/core/core.legend.js
index f625bb881..6b18c0a70 100644
--- a/src/core/core.legend.js
+++ b/src/core/core.legend.js
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ module.exports = function(Chart) {
 				return helpers.isArray(data.datasets) ? data.datasets.map(function(dataset, i) {
 					return {
 						text: dataset.label,
-						fillStyle: dataset.backgroundColor,
+						fillStyle: (!helpers.isArray(dataset.backgroundColor) ? dataset.backgroundColor : dataset.backgroundColor[0]),
 						hidden: !chart.isDatasetVisible(i),
 						lineCap: dataset.borderCapStyle,
 						lineDash: dataset.borderDash,