diff --git a/syntax/ChangeLog b/syntax/ChangeLog
index 82eeed99d..41c5ee155 100644
--- a/syntax/ChangeLog
+++ b/syntax/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+2006-01-28  Roland Illig  <roland.illig@gmx.de>
+
+	* sh.syntax: Only make $_ red if it appears as a whole word.
+	$_foo is a regular variable.
+
 2006-01-27  Leonard den Ottolander  <leonard den ottolander nl>
 
 	* Makefile.am, Syntax, css.syntax: Added css.syntax by Horvath
diff --git a/syntax/sh.syntax b/syntax/sh.syntax
index ccfe82ebd..60e679637 100644
--- a/syntax/sh.syntax
+++ b/syntax/sh.syntax
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ context default
     keyword $- brightred
     keyword $$ brightred
     keyword $! brightred
-    keyword $_ brightred
+    keyword whole $_ brightred
 
     keyword wholeright $\[0123456789\] brightred