diff --git a/smuxi_hooks/on-message-received/flash_helios_light.py b/smuxi_hooks/on-message-received/flash_helios_light.py
index 0674b7f..ddaf659 100755
--- a/smuxi_hooks/on-message-received/flash_helios_light.py
+++ b/smuxi_hooks/on-message-received/flash_helios_light.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # A Smuxi hook script. This hooks flashes the ceiling light when a new message
 # on the #dimsumlabs channel was received.
 #
-# Copyright (C) 2021 Mirco Bauer <meebey@meebey.net>
+# Copyright (C) 2021, 2024 Mirco Bauer <meebey@meebey.net>
 # Copyright (C) 2021 Neil Pahl <neildaemond@gmail.com>
 # Copyright (C) 2021 Felix E. Klee <felix.klee@inka.de>
 
@@ -12,15 +12,34 @@
 import os
 import sys
 import time
+import re
 from os.path import exists
 
-DND_TIME_FILENAME="/home/pi/dsl-wall/smuxi_scripting_fun/dnd_expire_epoch.txt"
+DND_TIME_FILENAME="$HOME/dsl-wall/smuxi_scripting_fun/dnd_expire_epoch.txt"
 if exists(DND_TIME_FILENAME) == True:
-    dnd_file = open(DND_TIME_FILENAME, "r")
+    path = os.path.expandvars(DND_TIME_FILENAME);
+    dnd_file = open(path, "r")
     dnd_on = int(dnd_file.read().strip()) > time.time()
 else:
     dnd_on = False
 
+def get_ceiling_color(light_host):
+    request_url = light_host + 'rgb'
+    req = request.Request(request_url)
+    # timeout after 1 second as the light might be turned off
+    res = request.urlopen(req, data=None, timeout=1)
+    body = res.read().decode("ascii")
+    print("body: '{}'".format(body))
+    match = re.search("(?P<red>[0-9]+)\n" +
+                      "(?P<green>[0-9]+)\n" +
+                      "(?P<blue>[0-9]+).*",
+                      body)
+    if not match:
+        return None
+    return ( match.group('red'),
+             match.group('green'),
+             match.group('blue') )
+
 def change_ceiling_color(light_host, red, green, blue):
     color_url = 'rgb.lua?r={}&g={}&b={}'.format(red, green, blue)
     request_url = light_host + color_url
@@ -35,12 +54,20 @@ def change_ceiling_color(light_host, red, green, blue):
 if os.environ['SMUXI_MSG_TYPE'] != "Normal" or os.environ['SMUXI_CHAT_ID'] != "#dimsumlabs" or dnd_on:
     sys.exit(0)
 
-helios_service = 'http://helios/'
-#helios2_service = 'http://helios2/'
+helios_service = 'http://helios.in.dimsumlabs.com/'
+#helios2_service = 'http://helios2.in.dimsumlabs.com/'
 # HACK: disable helios2 as it is broken and needs repair. The HTTP/REST call
 # just hang forever...
 helios2_service = None
 
+# WTF: 0 is brightest value, lulz
+white = (0, 0, 0)
+
+current_color = get_ceiling_color(helios_service)
+if not current_color:
+    print('could not determine current color, assuming white...')
+    current_color = white
+
 # color value range 0 to 1024
 light_pink = (7, 751, 130)
 light_green = (783, 7, 652)
@@ -51,9 +78,7 @@ def change_ceiling_color(light_host, red, green, blue):
 # sleep for 1 second to give time for the color transition to complete
 sleep(1)
 
-# WTF: 0 is brightest value, lulz
-white = (0, 0, 0)
-change_ceiling_color(helios_service, *white)
+# restore to previous color
+change_ceiling_color(helios_service, *current_color)
 if helios2_service:
-    change_ceiling_color(helios2_service, *white)
-
+    change_ceiling_color(helios2_service, *current_color)