diff --git a/plugin/NERD_tree.vim b/plugin/NERD_tree.vim
index 698b9fc..29b7b6e 100644
--- a/plugin/NERD_tree.vim
+++ b/plugin/NERD_tree.vim
@@ -2275,7 +2275,7 @@ function! s:initNerdTreeInPlace(dir)
     call s:bindMappings()
     setfiletype nerdtree
     " syntax highlighting
-    if has("syntax") && exists("g:syntax_on") && !has("syntax_items")
+    if has("syntax") && exists("g:syntax_on")
         call s:setupSyntaxHighlighting()
     endif
 
@@ -2522,7 +2522,7 @@ function! s:createTreeWin()
     call s:bindMappings()
     setfiletype nerdtree
     " syntax highlighting
-    if has("syntax") && exists("g:syntax_on") && !has("syntax_items")
+    if has("syntax") && exists("g:syntax_on")
         call s:setupSyntaxHighlighting()
     endif
 endfunction