diff --git a/runtime/syntax/gnuplot.vim b/runtime/syntax/gnuplot.vim
index d85932d..38aadff 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/gnuplot.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/gnuplot.vim
@@ -20,9 +20,8 @@
 " For vim version 5.x: Clear all syntax items
 " For vim 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
 
@@ -501,54 +500,46 @@
 syn keyword gnuplotStatement	unset update
 
 " ---- 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_gnuplot_syntax_inits")
-  if version < 508
-    let did_gnuplot_syntax_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>
 
-  " ---- Comments ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotComment		Comment
+" ---- Comments ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotComment		Comment
 
-  " ---- Constants ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotString		String
-  HiLink gnuplotNumber		Number
-  HiLink gnuplotFloat		Float
+" ---- Constants ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotString		String
+HiLink gnuplotNumber		Number
+HiLink gnuplotFloat		Float
 
-  " ---- Identifiers ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotIdentifier	Identifier
+" ---- Identifiers ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotIdentifier	Identifier
 
-  " ---- Statements ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotConditional	Conditional
-  HiLink gnuplotRepeat		Repeat
-  HiLink gnuplotKeyword		Keyword
-  HiLink gnuplotOperator	Operator
+" ---- Statements ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotConditional	Conditional
+HiLink gnuplotRepeat		Repeat
+HiLink gnuplotKeyword		Keyword
+HiLink gnuplotOperator	Operator
 
-  " ---- PreProcs ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotMacro		Macro
+" ---- PreProcs ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotMacro		Macro
 
-  " ---- Types ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotStatement	Type
-  HiLink gnuplotFunc		Identifier
+" ---- Types ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotStatement	Type
+HiLink gnuplotFunc		Identifier
 
-  " ---- Specials ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotSpecial		Special
-  HiLink gnuplotUnit		Special
-  HiLink gnuplotExternal	Special
+" ---- Specials ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotSpecial		Special
+HiLink gnuplotUnit		Special
+HiLink gnuplotExternal	Special
 
-  " ---- Errors ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotError		Error
-  HiLink gnuplotOctalError	Error
+" ---- Errors ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotError		Error
+HiLink gnuplotOctalError	Error
 
-  " ---- Todos ---- "
-  HiLink gnuplotTodo		Todo
+" ---- Todos ---- "
+HiLink gnuplotTodo		Todo
 
-  delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "gnuplot"