diff --git a/spec/spec-helper.coffee b/spec/spec-helper.coffee
index 4690e981a..bfb1ffdef 100644
--- a/spec/spec-helper.coffee
+++ b/spec/spec-helper.coffee
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ afterEach ->
   ensureNoPathSubscriptions()
   atom.pendingModals = [[]]
   atom.presentingModal = false
+  syntax.off()
   waits(0) # yield to ui thread to make screen update more frequently
 
 window.loadPackage = (name, options={}) ->