diff --git a/doc/virt-column.txt b/doc/virt-column.txt
index 885a3bf..131fedc 100644
--- a/doc/virt-column.txt
+++ b/doc/virt-column.txt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 
 Author: Lukas Reineke <lukas.reineke@protonmail.com>
-Version: 1.5.1
+Version: 1.5.2
 
 ==============================================================================
 CONTENTS                                                    *virt-column.nvim*
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ virtcolumn                                            *virt-column-virtcolumn*
 ==============================================================================
  4. CHANGELOG                                          *virt-column-changelog*
 
+1.5.2
+  * use `default` for |:highlight-link|
+
 1.5.1
   * Add ext mark priority
 
diff --git a/lua/virt-column/init.lua b/lua/virt-column/init.lua
index 59a642d..c7e4707 100644
--- a/lua/virt-column/init.lua
+++ b/lua/virt-column/init.lua
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ M.setup = function(config)
     M.namespace = vim.api.nvim_create_namespace "virt-column"
 
     vim.cmd [[command! -bang VirtColumnRefresh lua require("virt-column.commands").refresh("<bang>" == "!")]]
-    vim.cmd [[highlight link VirtColumn Whitespace]]
+    vim.cmd [[highlight default link VirtColumn Whitespace]]
     vim.cmd [[highlight clear ColorColumn]]
 
     vim.cmd [[