diff --git a/runtime/autoload/dist/ft.vim b/runtime/autoload/dist/ft.vim
index 48eaf3f..d5c21ac 100644
--- a/runtime/autoload/dist/ft.vim
+++ b/runtime/autoload/dist/ft.vim
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@
     return
   endif
 
-  if getline(1) =~ '^%'
+  if getline(1) =~ '^\v%(\%|\\)'
     setf tex
   elseif getline(1)[0] == '#' && getline(1) =~ 'rexx'
     setf rexx
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_filetype.vim b/src/testdir/test_filetype.vim
index 0fb73b7..281642e 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_filetype.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_filetype.vim
@@ -1741,6 +1741,11 @@
   call assert_equal('tex', &filetype)
   bwipe!
 
+  call writefile(['\NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e}'], 'Xfile.cls')
+  split Xfile.cls
+  call assert_equal('tex', &filetype)
+  bwipe!
+
   " Rexx
 
   call writefile(['# rexx'], 'Xfile.cls')
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index e9cacd5..1fc011f 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -696,6 +696,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    771,
+/**/
     770,
 /**/
     769,