diff --git a/src/optionstr.c b/src/optionstr.c
index 430e3c3..8f3f0c5 100644
--- a/src/optionstr.c
+++ b/src/optionstr.c
@@ -571,11 +571,10 @@
     static char *
 check_stl_option(char_u *s)
 {
-    int		itemcnt = 0;
     int		groupdepth = 0;
     static char errbuf[80];
 
-    while (*s && itemcnt < STL_MAX_ITEM)
+    while (*s)
     {
 	// Check for valid keys after % sequences
 	while (*s && *s != '%')
@@ -583,8 +582,6 @@
 	if (!*s)
 	    break;
 	s++;
-	if (*s != '%' && *s != ')')
-	    ++itemcnt;
 	if (*s == '%' || *s == STL_TRUNCMARK || *s == STL_MIDDLEMARK)
 	{
 	    s++;
@@ -627,8 +624,6 @@
 		return N_("E540: Unclosed expression sequence");
 	}
     }
-    if (itemcnt >= STL_MAX_ITEM)
-	return N_("E541: too many items");
     if (groupdepth != 0)
 	return N_("E542: unbalanced groups");
     return NULL;