diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c0e073a..46e940e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ Removes {val} from string-style option {name}.
 Sets vim colorscheme to {name}.
 
 ```fennel
-(color! desert)
+(color! :desert)
 ```
 
 ## variables
diff --git a/doc/hibiscus.txt b/doc/hibiscus.txt
index 39a3e2c..1551e8d 100644
--- a/doc/hibiscus.txt
+++ b/doc/hibiscus.txt
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ color!                                                                *color!*
 Sets vim colorscheme to {name}.
 
 >fennel
-    (color! desert)
+    (color! :desert)
 <
 
 
diff --git a/fnl/hibiscus/vim.fnl b/fnl/hibiscus/vim.fnl
index bbd17c3..fe8a30f 100644
--- a/fnl/hibiscus/vim.fnl
+++ b/fnl/hibiscus/vim.fnl
@@ -262,7 +262,8 @@
 
 (lun color! [name]
   "sets vim colorscheme to 'name'."
-  (exec! `(colorscheme ,(parse-sym name))))
+  (check [:string name])
+  `(vim.cmd ,(.. "colorscheme " name)))
 
 
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