diff --git a/queries/make/highlights.scm b/queries/make/highlights.scm
index adde2f9dc..bd0f6183e 100644
--- a/queries/make/highlights.scm
+++ b/queries/make/highlights.scm
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@
  )
 
 (function_call ["$" "(" ")"] @operator)
+(substitution_reference ["$" "(" ")"] @operator)
 
 (function_call [
  "subst"