diff --git a/runtime/syntax/xpm.vim b/runtime/syntax/xpm.vim
index 3cbc1b5..8cc92a1 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/xpm.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/xpm.vim
@@ -4,11 +4,8 @@
 " Last Change:	2008 May 28
 " Version:	5.4n.1
 
-" 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
 
@@ -126,24 +123,16 @@
 endif		" has("gui_running")
 
 " 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_xpm_syntax_inits")
-  if version < 508
-    let did_xpm_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 xpmType		Type
-  HiLink xpmStorageClass	StorageClass
-  HiLink xpmTodo		Todo
-  HiLink xpmComment		Comment
-  HiLink xpmPixelString	String
+HiLink xpmType		Type
+HiLink xpmStorageClass	StorageClass
+HiLink xpmTodo		Todo
+HiLink xpmComment		Comment
+HiLink xpmPixelString	String
 
-  delcommand HiLink
-endif
+delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "xpm"