diff --git a/syntax/php.nanorc b/syntax/php.nanorc
index eda74704..2281a14b 100644
--- a/syntax/php.nanorc
+++ b/syntax/php.nanorc
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ magic "PHP script"
 comment "//"
 
 # PHP markings.
-color brightgreen "(<\?(php)?|\?>)"
+color brightgreen "(<\?(php|=)?|\?>)"
 
 # Function names.
 color white "\<[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z_0-9]*\("