diff --git a/gtk/gtkstylecontext.c b/gtk/gtkstylecontext.c
index 5c253d14d3..df31eb0623 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkstylecontext.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkstylecontext.c
@@ -2470,6 +2470,10 @@ corner_value_is_right_angle (GtkCssValue *value)
  * color specified in @context for its current state.
  *
  * Since: 3.0
+ *
+ * Deprecated: 3.18: Use gtk_render_background() instead.
+ *   Note that clients still using this function are now responsible
+ *   for calling this function again whenever @context is invalidated.
  **/
 void
 gtk_style_context_set_background (GtkStyleContext *context,
diff --git a/gtk/gtkstylecontext.h b/gtk/gtkstylecontext.h
index 2c4835025f..d138a76750 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkstylecontext.h
+++ b/gtk/gtkstylecontext.h
@@ -1187,7 +1187,7 @@ void gtk_style_context_invalidate           (GtkStyleContext *context);
 GDK_AVAILABLE_IN_ALL
 void gtk_style_context_reset_widgets        (GdkScreen       *screen);
 
-GDK_AVAILABLE_IN_ALL
+GDK_DEPRECATED_IN_3_18_FOR(gtk_render_background)
 void gtk_style_context_set_background       (GtkStyleContext *context,
                                              GdkWindow       *window);