diff --git a/python/ycm/syntax_parse.py b/python/ycm/syntax_parse.py
index a4dc7441..e6ea1d52 100644
--- a/python/ycm/syntax_parse.py
+++ b/python/ycm/syntax_parse.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def SyntaxKeywordsForCurrentBuffer():
   vim.command( 'redir => b:ycm_syntax' )
   vim.command( 'silent! syntax list' )
   vim.command( 'redir END' )
-  syntax_output = vimsupport.GetVariableValue( 'b:ycm_syntax' )
+  syntax_output = vimsupport.VimExpressionToPythonType( 'b:ycm_syntax' )
   return _KeywordsFromSyntaxListOutput( syntax_output )
 
 
diff --git a/python/ycm/vimsupport.py b/python/ycm/vimsupport.py
index 6b8c0a43..115c0e9d 100644
--- a/python/ycm/vimsupport.py
+++ b/python/ycm/vimsupport.py
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ def EscapeForVim( text ):
 
 
 def CurrentFiletypes():
-  return vim.eval( "&filetype" ).split( '.' )
+  return VimExpressionToPythonType( "&filetype" ).split( '.' )
 
 
 def FiletypesForBuffer( buffer_object ):