diff --git a/internal/buffer/buffer_test.go b/internal/buffer/buffer_test.go
index 7d7602e4..dcfde610 100644
--- a/internal/buffer/buffer_test.go
+++ b/internal/buffer/buffer_test.go
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ type operation struct {
 
 func init() {
 	ulua.L = lua.NewState()
-	config.InitRuntimeFiles(false)
+	// TODO: uncomment InitRuntimeFiles once we fix races between syntax
+	// highlighting and buffer editing.
+	// config.InitRuntimeFiles(false)
 	config.InitGlobalSettings()
 	config.GlobalSettings["backup"] = false
 	config.GlobalSettings["fastdirty"] = true
diff --git a/internal/config/rtfiles.go b/internal/config/rtfiles.go
index 015a09b8..24adaebf 100644
--- a/internal/config/rtfiles.go
+++ b/internal/config/rtfiles.go
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ type RuntimeFile interface {
 var allFiles [][]RuntimeFile
 var realFiles [][]RuntimeFile
 
+func init() {
+	initRuntimeVars()
+}
+
 func initRuntimeVars() {
 	allFiles = make([][]RuntimeFile, NumTypes)
 	realFiles = make([][]RuntimeFile, NumTypes)