diff --git a/lib/widgets/app.dart b/lib/widgets/app.dart
index 3e3067ff5a..29fbfa2c11 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/app.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/app.dart
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ class ZulipApp extends StatelessWidget {
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final theme = ThemeData(
+      useMaterial3: false, // TODO(#225) fix things and switch to true
       // This applies Material 3's color system to produce a palette of
       // appropriately matching and contrasting colors for use in a UI.
       // The Zulip brand color is a starting point, but doesn't end up as