diff --git a/src/ex_cmds.c b/src/ex_cmds.c
index f05a065..2ffaa3e 100644
--- a/src/ex_cmds.c
+++ b/src/ex_cmds.c
@@ -3571,6 +3571,9 @@
 	    new_name = NULL;
 #endif
 	buf_freeall(curbuf, FALSE, FALSE);   /* free all things for buffer */
+#ifdef FEAT_SYN_HL
+	reset_synblock(curwin);	    /* remove any ownsyntax */
+#endif
 #ifdef FEAT_AUTOCMD
 	/* If autocommands deleted the buffer we were going to re-edit, give
 	 * up and jump to the end. */