diff --git a/runtime/syntax/pilrc.vim b/runtime/syntax/pilrc.vim
index 86d5611..c1d3288 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/pilrc.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/pilrc.vim
@@ -4,10 +4,8 @@
 " Last change:	2003 May 11
 " Available on:	http://www.schau.com/pilrcvim/pilrc.vim
 
-" Remove any old syntax
-if version < 600
-	syn clear
-elseif exists("b:current_syntax")
+" quit when a syntax file was already loaded
+if exists("b:current_syntax")
 	finish
 endif
 
@@ -119,30 +117,22 @@
 
 syn sync ccomment pilrcComment
 
-if version >= 508 || !exists("did_pilrc_syntax_inits")
-	if version < 508
-		command -nargs=+ HiLink hi link <args>
-	else
-		command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
-	endif
+command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
 
-	let did_pilrc_syntax_inits = 1
+" The default methods for highlighting
+HiLink pilrcKeyword		Statement
+HiLink pilrcType		Type
+HiLink pilrcError		Error
+HiLink pilrcCountry		SpecialChar
+HiLink pilrcLanguage		SpecialChar
+HiLink pilrcString		SpecialChar
+HiLink pilrcNumber		Number
+HiLink pilrcComment		Comment
+HiLink pilrcConstant		Constant
+HiLink pilrcFunction		Function
+HiLink pilrcInclude		SpecialChar
+HiLink pilrcIdentifier		Number
 
-	" The default methods for highlighting
-	HiLink pilrcKeyword		Statement
-	HiLink pilrcType		Type
-	HiLink pilrcError		Error
-	HiLink pilrcCountry		SpecialChar
-	HiLink pilrcLanguage		SpecialChar
-	HiLink pilrcString		SpecialChar
-	HiLink pilrcNumber		Number
-	HiLink pilrcComment		Comment
-	HiLink pilrcConstant		Constant
-	HiLink pilrcFunction		Function
-	HiLink pilrcInclude		SpecialChar
-	HiLink pilrcIdentifier		Number
-
-	delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "pilrc"