diff --git a/src/parser/hir/syntax_shape.rs b/src/parser/hir/syntax_shape.rs
index 8a21fd79e..2169467e4 100644
--- a/src/parser/hir/syntax_shape.rs
+++ b/src/parser/hir/syntax_shape.rs
@@ -985,8 +985,8 @@ impl FallibleColorSyntax for CommandHeadShape {
 
             match atom.item {
                 // If the head is an explicit external command (^cmd), color it as an external command
-                AtomicToken::ExternalCommand { command } => {
-                    token_nodes.color_shape(FlatShape::ExternalCommand.spanned(command));
+                AtomicToken::ExternalCommand { .. } => {
+                    token_nodes.color_shape(FlatShape::ExternalCommand.spanned(atom.span));
                     Ok(CommandHeadKind::External)
                 }