diff --git a/data/core/syntax.lua b/data/core/syntax.lua
index 9862fbdf..6555a17c 100644
--- a/data/core/syntax.lua
+++ b/data/core/syntax.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local common = require "core.common"
 local syntax = {}
 syntax.items = {}
 
-local plain_text_syntax = { name = "Plain Text", patterns = {}, symbols = {} }
+syntax.plain_text_syntax = { name = "Plain Text", patterns = {}, symbols = {} }
 
 
 function syntax.add(t)
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ end
 function syntax.get(filename, header)
   return (filename and find(filename, "files"))
       or (header and find(header, "headers"))
-      or plain_text_syntax
+      or syntax.plain_text_syntax
 end