diff --git a/jhub_apps/service/utils.py b/jhub_apps/service/utils.py
index 06521e77..e56fcdfa 100644
--- a/jhub_apps/service/utils.py
+++ b/jhub_apps/service/utils.py
@@ -144,9 +144,8 @@ async def get_thumbnail_data_url(framework_name, thumbnail):
 
 def get_theme(config):
     """This will extract theme variables from the JupyterHub config"""
-    if isinstance(config.theme, dict):
-        return config.theme.jupyterhub
-    elif isinstance(config.theme, LazyConfigValue):
-        return {}
+    if isinstance(config.JupyterHub.template_vars, dict):
+        return config.JupyterHub.template_vars
     else:
-        return None
\ No newline at end of file
+        return None
+    
\ No newline at end of file