diff --git a/hcatitles.py b/hcatitles.py
index a4461c9..71386ae 100644
--- a/hcatitles.py
+++ b/hcatitles.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ def update_image(original, title, subtitle):
     renders text on full sized slide
     make half sized copy for preview and fill top/bottom with white.
     """
-    background = original
     image = Image.new(mode="RGBA", size=(1280,720))
     font1 = ImageFont.truetype('tahomabd.ttf', 50)
     font2 = ImageFont.truetype('tahomabd.ttf', 38)
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ def update_image(original, title, subtitle):
               stroke_width=4, stroke_fill='black', spacing=4)
     draw.text((20,588), subtitle, font=font2, fill='white',
               stroke_width=4, stroke_fill='black', spacing=4)
-    background.paste(image, (0,0), image)
+    background = Image.alpha_composite(original, image)
     return background
 
 def update_thumbnail(image):