diff --git a/after/ftplugin/python.vim b/after/ftplugin/python.vim
index 7d904a3..f5a186c 100644
--- a/after/ftplugin/python.vim
+++ b/after/ftplugin/python.vim
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ setlocal textwidth=0
 "       'O' in Normal mode.
 setlocal formatoptions+=cro
 
-" Set up highlighting of tabs
-highlight BadWhitespace ctermbg=red guibg=red
-match BadWhitespace /^\t\+/
+" Highlight erroneous tabs
+syn match pythonTabError '\t\+'
+hi pythonTabError ctermbg=red guibg=red
 
 " Set up file encoding
 setlocal encoding=utf-8