diff --git a/src/nvim/highlight_group.c b/src/nvim/highlight_group.c
index 3092aaefab..2c6cb06b52 100644
--- a/src/nvim/highlight_group.c
+++ b/src/nvim/highlight_group.c
@@ -743,6 +743,7 @@ void set_hl_group(int id, HlAttrs attrs, Dict(highlight) *dict, int link_id)
     normal_bg = g->sg_rgb_bg;
     normal_sp = g->sg_rgb_sp;
     ui_default_colors_set();
+    g->sg_attr = hl_get_syn_attr(0, id, attrs);
   } else {
     g->sg_attr = hl_get_syn_attr(0, id, attrs);