diff --git a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
index 7b9fbd3..04b6ece 100644
--- a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
+++ b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
@@ -737,9 +737,17 @@ _zsh_highlight_main_highlighter_highlight_list()
      else
        style=unknown-token
      fi
-     if [[ $arg == (';'|$'\n') ]] && $in_array_assignment; then
+     if [[ $arg == $'\n' ]] && $in_array_assignment; then
        # literal newline inside an array assignment
        next_word=':regular:'
+     elif [[ $arg == ';' ]] && $in_array_assignment; then
+       # literal semicolon inside an array assignment
+       #
+       # This is parsed the same way as a literal newline.  Nevertheless,
+       # highlight it as an error since it's probably unintended.  Compare
+       # issue #691.
+       next_word=':regular:'
+       style=unknown-token
      else
        next_word=':start:'
        highlight_glob=true
diff --git a/highlighters/main/test-data/array-cmdsep2.zsh b/highlighters/main/test-data/array-cmdsep2.zsh
index 8b4a2eb..2d2c865 100644
--- a/highlighters/main/test-data/array-cmdsep2.zsh
+++ b/highlighters/main/test-data/array-cmdsep2.zsh
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ BUFFER=$'a=( foo ; bar )'
 expected_region_highlight=(
   '1 3 assign' # a=(
   '5 7 default' # foo
-  '9 9 unknown-token "fixed in the after-next (grandchild) commit"' # ;
+  '9 9 unknown-token' # ; (not commandseparator; see highlighter source code)
   '11 13 default' # bar
   '15 15 assign' # )
 )