diff --git a/plug.vim b/plug.vim
index 2a06dc77..57a51001 100644
--- a/plug.vim
+++ b/plug.vim
@@ -645,7 +645,9 @@ function! s:prepare()
   silent! unmap <buffer> X
   setlocal buftype=nofile bufhidden=wipe nobuflisted noswapfile nowrap cursorline modifiable
   setf vim-plug
-  call s:syntax()
+  if exists('g:syntax_on')
+    call s:syntax()
+  endif
 endfunction
 
 function! s:assign_name()