diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-api/lib/editor/theme.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-api/lib/editor/theme.js
index 05f4a9053..d3f158a23 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-api/lib/editor/theme.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/editor-api/lib/editor/theme.js
@@ -198,6 +198,10 @@ async function loadThemePlugin () {
                     }
                 })
             }
+            if (Array.isArray(themePlugin.palette?.categories)) {
+                themeSettings.palette = themeSettings.palette || {};
+                themeSettings.palette.categories = themePlugin.palette.categories;
+            }
 
             // These settings are not exposed under `editorTheme`, so we don't have a merge strategy for them
             // If they're defined in the theme plugin, they replace any settings.js values.