diff --git a/runtime/syntax/vim.vim b/runtime/syntax/vim.vim
index a688ed8933..3f0d2c9329 100644
--- a/runtime/syntax/vim.vim
+++ b/runtime/syntax/vim.vim
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ syn match	vimDebuggreedy	"\<0\=debugg\%[reedy]\>" contains=vimCount
 
 " Defer {{{2
 " =====
-syn match	vimDefer	"\<defer\=\>"	skipwhite nextgroup=@vimFunc
+syn match	vimDefer	"\<defer\=\>"	skipwhite nextgroup=@vimFunc,vim9LambdaParams
 
 " Exception Handling {{{2
 syn keyword	vimThrow	th[row]	skipwhite nextgroup=@vimExprList