diff --git a/queries/cmake/highlights.scm b/queries/cmake/highlights.scm
index c59f1a948..795c330b3 100644
--- a/queries/cmake/highlights.scm
+++ b/queries/cmake/highlights.scm
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  (bracket_content)
 ] @string
 
-(variable) @variable
+(variable_ref) @variable
 
 [
  "$ENV"