diff --git a/src/nvim/syntax.c b/src/nvim/syntax.c
index dcca25ccee..580f5b8297 100644
--- a/src/nvim/syntax.c
+++ b/src/nvim/syntax.c
@@ -3416,14 +3416,6 @@ static void syn_cmd_on(exarg_T *eap, int syncing)
   syn_cmd_onoff(eap, "syntax");
 }
 
-/*
- * Handle ":syntax enable" command.
- */
-static void syn_cmd_enable(exarg_T *eap, int syncing)
-{
-  syn_cmd_on(eap, syncing);
-}
-
 /*
  * Handle ":syntax reset" command.
  * It actually resets highlighting, not syntax.
@@ -3471,7 +3463,7 @@ void syn_maybe_enable(void)
     exarg_T ea;
     ea.arg = (char_u *)"";
     ea.skip = false;
-    syn_cmd_enable(&ea, false);
+    syn_cmd_on(&ea, false);
   }
 }
 
@@ -5530,7 +5522,7 @@ static struct subcommand subcommands[] =
   { "clear",     syn_cmd_clear },
   { "cluster",   syn_cmd_cluster },
   { "conceal",   syn_cmd_conceal },
-  { "enable",    syn_cmd_enable },
+  { "enable",    syn_cmd_on },
   { "foldlevel", syn_cmd_foldlevel },
   { "include",   syn_cmd_include },
   { "iskeyword", syn_cmd_iskeyword },