diff --git a/runtime/syntax/stata.vim b/runtime/syntax/stata.vim
index e1f19c8..29f5052 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/stata.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/stata.vim
@@ -12,9 +12,8 @@
 " 26apr2006	fixed brace confusion in stataErrInParen and stataErrInBracket
 "		fixed paren/bracket confusion in stataFuncGroup
 
-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