diff --git a/runtime/syntax/jproperties.vim b/runtime/syntax/jproperties.vim
index 9343bd2..bde160b 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/jproperties.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/jproperties.vim
@@ -43,11 +43,8 @@
 
 " =============================================================================
 
-" 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
 
@@ -120,28 +117,20 @@
 syn keyword jpropertiesTodo		TODO FIXME XXX contained
 
 " 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_jproperties_syntax_inits")
-  if version < 508
-    let did_jproperties_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>
 
-	HiLink jpropertiesComment	Comment
-	HiLink jpropertiesTodo		Todo
-	HiLink jpropertiesIdentifier	Identifier
-	HiLink jpropertiesString	String
-	HiLink jpropertiesExtendString	String
-	HiLink jpropertiesCharacter	Character
-	HiLink jpropertiesSpecial	Special
-	HiLink jpropertiesSpecialChar	SpecialChar
-	HiLink jpropertiesError	Error
+HiLink jpropertiesComment	Comment
+HiLink jpropertiesTodo		Todo
+HiLink jpropertiesIdentifier	Identifier
+HiLink jpropertiesString	String
+HiLink jpropertiesExtendString	String
+HiLink jpropertiesCharacter	Character
+HiLink jpropertiesSpecial	Special
+HiLink jpropertiesSpecialChar	SpecialChar
+HiLink jpropertiesError	Error
 
-  delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "jproperties"