diff --git a/syntax/vimwiki.vim b/syntax/vimwiki.vim
index 786ee48..17b9cd8 100644
--- a/syntax/vimwiki.vim
+++ b/syntax/vimwiki.vim
@@ -200,7 +200,8 @@ function! s:highlight_existing_links() "{{{
   " Conditional highlighting that depends on the existence of a wiki file or
   "   directory is only available for *schemeless* wiki links
   " Links are set up upon BufEnter (see plugin/...)
-  let safe_links = vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikifiles)
+  let safe_links = '\%('.vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikifiles) .
+        \ '\%(#[^|]*\)\?\|#[^|]*\)'
   " Wikilink Dirs set up upon BufEnter (see plugin/...)
   let safe_dirs = vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikidirs)
 
diff --git a/syntax/vimwiki_markdown_custom.vim b/syntax/vimwiki_markdown_custom.vim
index 502ebdd..af9ab96 100644
--- a/syntax/vimwiki_markdown_custom.vim
+++ b/syntax/vimwiki_markdown_custom.vim
@@ -242,7 +242,8 @@ function! s:highlight_existing_links() "{{{
   " Conditional highlighting that depends on the existence of a wiki file or
   "   directory is only available for *schemeless* wiki links
   " Links are set up upon BufEnter (see plugin/...)
-  let safe_links = vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikifiles)
+  let safe_links = '\%('.vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikifiles) .
+        \ '\%(#[^|]*\)\?\|#[^|]*\)'
   " Wikilink1 Dirs set up upon BufEnter (see plugin/...)
   let safe_dirs = vimwiki#base#file_pattern(b:existing_wikidirs)
   " Ref links are cached