Android error - Must specify preferenceTheme in theme

I created a layout (preferences.xml) in the res / xml directory based on the PreferenceScreen.

Implemented a class derived from PreferencesFragmentCompat

public class PrefsFragment extends PreferenceFragmentCompat  
{
  @Override   
  public void onCreatePreferences(Bundle savedInstanceState, String rootKey) {
    setPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.preferences, rootKey);    
  }
}

Implemented the preferences activity

public class PrefsActivity extends AppCompatActivity
{

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
  {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

    setContentView(R.layout.prefs_activity);

    FragmentTransaction transaction = getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction();
    transaction.replace(R.id.fragContent, new PrefsFragment());
    transaction.commit();
  }

} 

When I run the activity the following error is displayed:

  

java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to start activity   ComponentInfo {PrefsActivity}: java.lang.IllegalStateException: Must   specify preferenceTheme in theme

How do I specify the preferenceTheme ?