diff --git a/runtime/syntax/scala.vim b/runtime/syntax/scala.vim
index b04af3b..7779c43 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/scala.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/scala.vim
@@ -7,9 +7,8 @@
 " ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 if !exists('main_syntax')
-  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
   let main_syntax = 'scala'