diff --git a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
index 4ea3f34..8f792e6 100644
--- a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
+++ b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
@@ -916,8 +916,8 @@ _zsh_highlight_main_highlighter_highlight_list()
         next_word=${next_word//:regular:/}
         next_word+=':sudo_opt:'
         next_word+=':start:'
-        if [[ $arg == 'exec' ]]; then
-          # To allow "exec 2>&1;" where there's no command word
+        if [[ $arg == 'exec' || $arg == 'env' ]]; then
+          # To allow "exec 2>&1;" and "env | grep" where there's no command word
           next_word+=':regular:'
         fi
       else
diff --git a/highlighters/main/test-data/null-exec2-printenv.zsh b/highlighters/main/test-data/null-exec2-printenv.zsh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59a2cef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/highlighters/main/test-data/null-exec2-printenv.zsh
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env zsh
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright (c) 2021 zsh-syntax-highlighting contributors
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted
+# provided that the following conditions are met:
+#
+#  * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
+#    and the following disclaimer.
+#  * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
+#    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided
+#    with the distribution.
+#  * Neither the name of the zsh-syntax-highlighting contributors nor the names of its contributors
+#    may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior
+#    written permission.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
+# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR
+# CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+# DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+# DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER
+# IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+# OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# -*- mode: zsh; sh-indentation: 2; indent-tabs-mode: nil; sh-basic-offset: 2; -*-
+# vim: ft=zsh sw=2 ts=2 et
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BUFFER=$'env | grep $needle'
+
+expected_region_highlight=(
+  '1 3 precommand' # env
+  '5 5 commandseparator' # |
+  '7 10 command' # grep
+  '12 18 default' # $needle
+)