diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index f6706a1..74da23d 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -2950,7 +2950,7 @@ log_formatter (struct app_context *ctx,
 		buffer->unseen_messages_count++;
 		if (flags & BUFFER_LINE_UNIMPORTANT)
 			buffer->unseen_unimportant_count++;
-		buffer->highlighted = important;
+		buffer->highlighted |= important;
 
 		refresh_prompt (ctx);
 	}