diff --git a/common/layer_id.cpp b/common/layer_id.cpp
index 7ba630ccc3..29c9e85a50 100644
--- a/common/layer_id.cpp
+++ b/common/layer_id.cpp
@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ wxString LayerName( int aLayer )
     case LAYER_ERC_ERR:
         return _( "ERC error" );
 
+    case LAYER_SCHEMATIC_AUX_ITEMS:
+        return _( "Helper items" );
+
     case LAYER_SCHEMATIC_GRID:
         return _( "Grid" );
 
diff --git a/common/settings/color_settings.cpp b/common/settings/color_settings.cpp
index 5d8cc95c1f..29cf6b1ad9 100644
--- a/common/settings/color_settings.cpp
+++ b/common/settings/color_settings.cpp
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ COLOR_SETTINGS::COLOR_SETTINGS( wxString aFilename ) :
 
 #define CLR( x, y, z ) m_params.emplace_back( new COLOR_MAP_PARAM( x, y, z, &m_colors ) )
 
+    CLR( "schematic.aux_items",         LAYER_SCHEMATIC_AUX_ITEMS,  COLOR4D( BLACK ) );
     CLR( "schematic.background",        LAYER_SCHEMATIC_BACKGROUND, COLOR4D( WHITE ) );
     CLR( "schematic.brightened",        LAYER_BRIGHTENED,           COLOR4D( PUREMAGENTA ) );
     CLR( "schematic.bus",               LAYER_BUS,                  COLOR4D( BLUE ) );
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_painter.cpp b/eeschema/sch_painter.cpp
index 1aee3bd2bb..e895ea673d 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_painter.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_painter.cpp
@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ void SCH_RENDER_SETTINGS::LoadColors( const COLOR_SETTINGS* aSettings )
 
     m_backgroundColor = aSettings->GetColor( LAYER_SCHEMATIC_BACKGROUND );
 
+    m_layerColors[LAYER_AUX_ITEMS] = m_layerColors[LAYER_SCHEMATIC_AUX_ITEMS];
+
     m_OverrideItemColors = aSettings->GetOverrideSchItemColors();
 }
 
diff --git a/include/layers_id_colors_and_visibility.h b/include/layers_id_colors_and_visibility.h
index 41cbde3e29..f0e6f0bd00 100644
--- a/include/layers_id_colors_and_visibility.h
+++ b/include/layers_id_colors_and_visibility.h
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ enum SCH_LAYER_ID: int
     LAYER_SELECTION_SHADOWS,
     LAYER_SCHEMATIC_WORKSHEET,
     LAYER_BUS_JUNCTION,
+    LAYER_SCHEMATIC_AUX_ITEMS,
 
     SCH_LAYER_ID_END
 };