diff --git a/lua/options.lua b/lua/options.lua
index a12332e..2210681 100644
--- a/lua/options.lua
+++ b/lua/options.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 local opt = vim.opt
 local g = vim.g
 
+-- Turn these off at startup, will be enabled later just before loading the theme
+vim.cmd([[
+    syntax off
+    filetype off
+    filetype plugin indent off
+]])
+
 opt.ruler = false
 opt.hidden = true
 opt.ignorecase = true
diff --git a/lua/theme.lua b/lua/theme.lua
index 5356706..85bf895 100644
--- a/lua/theme.lua
+++ b/lua/theme.lua
@@ -3,6 +3,13 @@ vim.g.nvchad_theme = "onedark"
 local present, base16 = pcall(require, "base16")
 
 if present then
+    -- enabled these options, was disabled in options.lua
+    vim.cmd([[
+        syntax on
+        filetype on
+        filetype plugin indent on
+    ]])
+
     base16(base16.themes["onedark"], true)
     require "highlights"
     return true