diff --git a/functions.php b/functions.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..adf114a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/functions.php
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<?php
+
+/* Remove default CSS variables that come with Wordpress
+  https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/56180#issuecomment-1819222376
+*/
+function custom_wp_theme_json_default( $theme_json ) {
+	$new_data = array(
+		'version'  => 2,
+		'settings' => array(
+			'color'  => array(
+				'palette'   => array(),
+				'gradient'  => array(),
+			)
+		),
+	);
+	return $theme_json->update_with( $new_data );
+}
+add_filter( 'wp_theme_json_data_default', 'custom_wp_theme_json_default' );