diff --git a/components/synedit/synhighlighterpas.pp b/components/synedit/synhighlighterpas.pp
index e299dd21fe..8be849774f 100644
--- a/components/synedit/synhighlighterpas.pp
+++ b/components/synedit/synhighlighterpas.pp
@@ -5372,6 +5372,7 @@ begin
     tkUnknown: Result := fSymbolAttri;
   else
     Result := nil;
+    exit; // can't merge
   end;