diff --git a/data/core/doc/highlighter.lua b/data/core/doc/highlighter.lua
index c77e1138..68b66356 100644
--- a/data/core/doc/highlighter.lua
+++ b/data/core/doc/highlighter.lua
@@ -40,6 +40,13 @@ end
 
 function Highlighter:reset()
   self.lines = {}
+  self:soft_reset()
+end
+
+function Highlighter:soft_reset()
+  for i=1,#self.lines do
+    self.lines[i] = false
+  end
   self.first_invalid_line = 1
   self.max_wanted_line = 0
 end
diff --git a/data/core/doc/init.lua b/data/core/doc/init.lua
index 2e72907a..b0f07921 100644
--- a/data/core/doc/init.lua
+++ b/data/core/doc/init.lua
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ function Doc:reset_syntax()
   local syn = syntax.get(self.filename or "", header)
   if self.syntax ~= syn then
     self.syntax = syn
-    self.highlighter:reset()
+    self.highlighter:soft_reset()
   end
 end