diff --git a/src/resize.cc b/src/resize.cc
index 93ade321..e342a147 100755
--- a/src/resize.cc
+++ b/src/resize.cc
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ class ResizeWorker : public NanAsyncWorker {
         }
         // Create background
         VipsArrayDouble *background;
-        if (baton->background[3] < 255.0) {
+        if (baton->background[3] < 255.0 || HasAlpha(image)) {
           background = vips_array_double_newv(
             4, baton->background[0], baton->background[1], baton->background[2], baton->background[3]
           );
diff --git a/test/unit/embed.js b/test/unit/embed.js
index d8757d34..7a6c1d6f 100755
--- a/test/unit/embed.js
+++ b/test/unit/embed.js
@@ -50,4 +50,22 @@ describe('Embed', function() {
     });
   }
 
+  it('PNG with alpha channel', function(done) {
+    sharp(fixtures.inputPngWithTransparency)
+      .resize(50, 50)
+      .embed()
+      .toBuffer(function(err, data, info) {
+        if (err) throw err;
+        assert.strictEqual(true, data.length > 0);
+        assert.strictEqual('png', info.format);
+        assert.strictEqual(50, info.width);
+        assert.strictEqual(50, info.height);
+        sharp(data).metadata(function(err, metadata) {
+          if (err) throw err;
+          assert.strictEqual(4, metadata.channels);
+          done();
+        });
+      });
+  });
+
 });