Index: wp-admin/css/colors/_admin.scss
===================================================================
--- wp-admin/css/colors/_admin.scss	(revision 28169)
+++ wp-admin/css/colors/_admin.scss	(working copy)
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@
 /* Admin Menu: bubble */
 
 #adminmenu .awaiting-mod,
-#adminmenu .update-plugins {
+#adminmenu span.update-plugins {
 	color: $menu-bubble-text;
 	background: $menu-bubble-background;
 }