diff --git a/helix-core/src/syntax.rs b/helix-core/src/syntax.rs
index 8fda29352..6b52ee40a 100644
--- a/helix-core/src/syntax.rs
+++ b/helix-core/src/syntax.rs
@@ -2475,15 +2475,17 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for HighlightIter<'a> {
                 }
             }
 
-            // Once a highlighting pattern is found for the current node, skip over
-            // any later highlighting patterns that also match this node. Captures
+            // Use the last capture found for the current node, skipping over any
+            // highlight patterns that also match this node. Captures
             // for a given node are ordered by pattern index, so these subsequent
             // captures are guaranteed to be for highlighting, not injections or
             // local variables.
             while let Some((next_match, next_capture_index)) = captures.peek() {
                 let next_capture = next_match.captures[*next_capture_index];
                 if next_capture.node == capture.node {
-                    captures.next();
+                    match_.remove();
+                    capture = next_capture;
+                    match_ = captures.next().unwrap().0;
                 } else {
                     break;
                 }