diff --git a/runtime/syntax/modula3.vim b/runtime/syntax/modula3.vim
index d6f72af..5f00efb 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/modula3.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/modula3.vim
@@ -6,11 +6,8 @@
 " Basic things only...
 " Based on the modula 2 syntax file
 
-" 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
 
@@ -46,24 +43,16 @@
 syn region modula3String start=+'+ end=+'+
 
 " 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_modula3_syntax_inits")
-  if version < 508
-    let did_modula3_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>
 
-  " The default methods for highlighting.  Can be overridden later
-  HiLink modula3Keyword	Statement
-  HiLink modula3Block		PreProc
-  HiLink modula3Comment	Comment
-  HiLink modula3String		String
+" The default methods for highlighting.  Can be overridden later
+HiLink modula3Keyword	Statement
+HiLink modula3Block		PreProc
+HiLink modula3Comment	Comment
+HiLink modula3String		String
 
-  delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "modula3"