diff --git a/plugin/EasyMotion.vim b/plugin/EasyMotion.vim
index e530492..01074ee 100644
--- a/plugin/EasyMotion.vim
+++ b/plugin/EasyMotion.vim
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@
 			redraw
 
 			" Remove shading
-			if g:EasyMotion_shade
+			if g:EasyMotion_shade && exists('shade_hl_id')
 				call matchdelete(shade_hl_id)
 			endif