diff --git a/runtime/syntax/python.vim b/runtime/syntax/python.vim
index 1951680..c9cf542 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/python.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/python.vim
@@ -289,44 +289,42 @@
 " Sync at the beginning of class, function, or method definition.
 syn sync match pythonSync grouphere NONE "^\s*\%(def\|class\)\s\+\h\w*\s*("
 
-command -nargs=+ HiLink hi def link <args>
 
 " The default highlight links.  Can be overridden later.
-HiLink pythonStatement	Statement
-HiLink pythonConditional	Conditional
-HiLink pythonRepeat		Repeat
-HiLink pythonOperator		Operator
-HiLink pythonException	Exception
-HiLink pythonInclude		Include
-HiLink pythonAsync		Statement
-HiLink pythonDecorator	Define
-HiLink pythonDecoratorName	Function
-HiLink pythonFunction		Function
-HiLink pythonComment		Comment
-HiLink pythonTodo		Todo
-HiLink pythonString		String
-HiLink pythonRawString	String
-HiLink pythonQuotes		String
-HiLink pythonTripleQuotes	pythonQuotes
-HiLink pythonEscape		Special
+hi def link pythonStatement	Statement
+hi def link pythonConditional	Conditional
+hi def link pythonRepeat		Repeat
+hi def link pythonOperator		Operator
+hi def link pythonException	Exception
+hi def link pythonInclude		Include
+hi def link pythonAsync		Statement
+hi def link pythonDecorator	Define
+hi def link pythonDecoratorName	Function
+hi def link pythonFunction		Function
+hi def link pythonComment		Comment
+hi def link pythonTodo		Todo
+hi def link pythonString		String
+hi def link pythonRawString	String
+hi def link pythonQuotes		String
+hi def link pythonTripleQuotes	pythonQuotes
+hi def link pythonEscape		Special
 if !exists("python_no_number_highlight")
-  HiLink pythonNumber		Number
+  hi def link pythonNumber		Number
 endif
 if !exists("python_no_builtin_highlight")
-  HiLink pythonBuiltin	Function
+  hi def link pythonBuiltin	Function
 endif
 if !exists("python_no_exception_highlight")
-  HiLink pythonExceptions	Structure
+  hi def link pythonExceptions	Structure
 endif
 if exists("python_space_error_highlight")
-  HiLink pythonSpaceError	Error
+  hi def link pythonSpaceError	Error
 endif
 if !exists("python_no_doctest_highlight")
-  HiLink pythonDoctest	Special
-  HiLink pythonDoctestValue	Define
+  hi def link pythonDoctest	Special
+  hi def link pythonDoctestValue	Define
 endif
 
-delcommand HiLink
 
 let b:current_syntax = "python"