diff --git a/src/buffer.c b/src/buffer.c
index 26d7723..9ef8a50 100644
--- a/src/buffer.c
+++ b/src/buffer.c
@@ -3722,7 +3722,7 @@
 	    {
 		/* remove group if all items are empty */
 		for (n = groupitem[groupdepth] + 1; n < curitem; n++)
-		    if (item[n].type == Normal)
+		    if (item[n].type == Normal || item[n].type == Highlight)
 			break;
 		if (n == curitem)
 		{