diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/table/__init__.py b/qt/aqt/browser/table/__init__.py
index 3ba9e7e3d..434d7cc26 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/table/__init__.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/table/__init__.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from anki.collection import BrowserRow
 from anki.notes import NoteId
 from aqt import colors
 from aqt.qt import QColor
-from aqt.theme import AnkiVariable
 from aqt.utils import tr
 
 Column = Columns.Column
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ class CellRow:
     ) -> None:
         self.refreshed_at: float = time.time()
         self.cells: tuple[Cell, ...] = tuple(Cell(*cell) for cell in cells)
-        self.color: AnkiVariable | None = backend_color_to_aqt_color(color)
+        self.color: dict[str, str] | None = backend_color_to_aqt_color(color)
         self.font_name: str = font_name or "arial"
         self.font_size: int = font_size if font_size > 0 else 12
 
@@ -77,7 +76,7 @@ class CellRow:
         return row
 
 
-def backend_color_to_aqt_color(color: BrowserRow.Color.V) -> AnkiVariable | None:
+def backend_color_to_aqt_color(color: BrowserRow.Color.V) -> dict[str, str] | None:
     temp_color = None
 
     if color == BrowserRow.COLOR_MARKED:
@@ -102,10 +101,10 @@ def backend_color_to_aqt_color(color: BrowserRow.Color.V) -> AnkiVariable | None
     return adjusted_bg_color(temp_color)
 
 
-def adjusted_bg_color(color: AnkiVariable) -> AnkiVariable:
+def adjusted_bg_color(color: dict[str, str]) -> dict[str, str]:
     if color:
-        color.light = color.light.lighter(150).name()
-        color.dark = color.dark.darker(150).name()
+        color["light"] = QColor(color["light"]).lighter(150).name()
+        color["dark"] = QColor(color["dark"]).darker(150).name()
         return color
     else:
         return None
diff --git a/qt/aqt/switch.py b/qt/aqt/switch.py
index 4471966b7..e3b25cdb1 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/switch.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/switch.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from typing import cast
 
 from aqt import colors
 from aqt.qt import *
-from aqt.theme import AnkiVariable, theme_manager
+from aqt.theme import theme_manager
 
 
 class Switch(QAbstractButton):
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ class Switch(QAbstractButton):
         radius: int = 10,
         left_label: str = "",
         right_label: str = "",
-        left_color: AnkiVariable = colors.ACCENT_CARD,
-        right_color: AnkiVariable = colors.ACCENT_NOTE,
+        left_color: dict[str, str] = colors.ACCENT_CARD | {},
+        right_color: dict[str, str] = colors.ACCENT_NOTE | {},
         parent: QWidget = None,
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/theme.py b/qt/aqt/theme.py
index 08048e191..52f6b9459 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/theme.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/theme.py
@@ -27,17 +27,10 @@ from aqt.qt import (
 )
 
 
-@dataclass
-class AnkiVariable:
-    light: str
-    dark: str
-    comment: str
-
-
 @dataclass
 class ColoredIcon:
     path: str
-    color: AnkiVariable
+    color: dict[str, str]
 
     def current_color(self, night_mode: bool) -> str:
         if night_mode:
@@ -45,7 +38,7 @@ class ColoredIcon:
         else:
             return self.color.get("light", "")
 
-    def with_color(self, color: AnkiVariable) -> ColoredIcon:
+    def with_color(self, color: dict[str, str]) -> ColoredIcon:
         return ColoredIcon(path=self.path, color=color)
 
 
@@ -183,11 +176,11 @@ class ThemeManager:
         "Returns body classes used when showing a card."
         return f"card card{card_ord+1} {self.body_class(night_mode)}"
 
-    def var(self, vars: AnkiVariable) -> str:
+    def var(self, vars: dict[str, str]) -> str:
         """Given day/night colors/props, return the correct one for the current theme."""
         return vars["dark" if self.night_mode else "light"]
 
-    def qcolor(self, colors: AnkiVariable) -> QColor:
+    def qcolor(self, colors: dict[str, str]) -> QColor:
         return QColor(self.var(colors))
 
     def _determine_night_mode(self) -> bool: