diff --git a/runtime/syntax/cvs.vim b/runtime/syntax/cvs.vim
index 94b2a80..4a01c2b 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/cvs.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/cvs.vim
@@ -4,11 +4,8 @@
 " URL:		http://www.zotikos.com/downloads/cvs.vim
 " Last Change:	Sat Nov 24 23:25:11 CET 2001
 
-" For version 5.x: Clear all syntax items
-" For version 6.x: Quit when a syntax file was already loaded
-if version < 600
-	syntax clear
-elseif exists("b:current_syntax")
+" quit when a syntax file was already loaded
+if exists("b:current_syntax")
 	finish
 endif
 
@@ -20,24 +17,16 @@
 syn match cvsDir   contained "\S\+$"
 
 " Define the default highlighting.
-" For version 5.7 and earlier: only when not done already
-" For version 5.8 and later: only when an item doesn't have highlighting yet
-if version >= 508 || !exists("did_cvs_syn_inits")
-	if version < 508
-		let did_cvs_syn_inits = 1
-		command -nargs=+ HiLink hi link <args>
-	else
-		command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
-	endif
+" Only when an item doesn't have highlighting yet
+command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
 
-	HiLink cvsLine		Comment
-	HiLink cvsDir		cvsFile
-	HiLink cvsFile		Constant
-	HiLink cvsFiles		cvsCom
-	HiLink cvsTag		cvsCom
-	HiLink cvsCom		Statement
+HiLink cvsLine		Comment
+HiLink cvsDir		cvsFile
+HiLink cvsFile		Constant
+HiLink cvsFiles		cvsCom
+HiLink cvsTag		cvsCom
+HiLink cvsCom		Statement
 
-	delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "cvs"