diff --git a/systemd.el b/systemd.el
index 79a0697..ffbd319 100644
--- a/systemd.el
+++ b/systemd.el
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ current unit file, defaulting to the link under point, if any."
 
 (defvar systemd-mode-syntax-table
   (let ((table (make-syntax-table)))
-    (modify-syntax-entry ?\" ".   " table)
-    (modify-syntax-entry ?\n ">   " table)
-    (modify-syntax-entry ?\% "\\   " table)
+    (modify-syntax-entry ?\" "." table)
+    (modify-syntax-entry ?\n ">" table)
+    (modify-syntax-entry ?\% "\\" table)
     table)
   "Syntax table used in `systemd-mode' buffers.")