diff --git a/frameworks/compass/stylesheets/compass/typography/_vertical_rhythm.scss b/frameworks/compass/stylesheets/compass/typography/_vertical_rhythm.scss
index 79c15ec8..7fce4e37 100644
--- a/frameworks/compass/stylesheets/compass/typography/_vertical_rhythm.scss
+++ b/frameworks/compass/stylesheets/compass/typography/_vertical_rhythm.scss
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+@import "compass/layout/grid-background";
+
 // The base font size
 $base-font-size: 16px !default;
 
@@ -58,8 +60,14 @@ $base-half-leader: $base-leader / 2;
 }
 
 // Show a background image that can be used to debug your alignments.
-@mixin debug-vertical-alignment($img: 'underline.png') {
-  background: url($img);
+// include the $img argument if you would rather use your own image than the
+// Compass default gradient image.
+@mixin debug-vertical-alignment($img: false) {
+  @if $img {
+    background: image-url($img);
+  } @else {
+    @include baseline-grid-background($base-rhythm-unit);
+  }
 }
 
 // Adjust a block to have a different font size and leading to maintain the rhythm.