diff --git a/doc/conf.py b/doc/conf.py
index e7e9c5ca..a2795b59 100644
--- a/doc/conf.py
+++ b/doc/conf.py
@@ -104,6 +104,8 @@ exclude_trees = ['sphinx-bootstrap-theme']
 # The name of the Pygments (syntax highlighting) style to use.
 pygments_style = 'sphinx'
 
+highlight_language = 'c++'
+
 # A list of ignored prefixes for module index sorting.
 #modindex_common_prefix = []
 
diff --git a/doc/reference.rst b/doc/reference.rst
index 822e190c..031fdc47 100644
--- a/doc/reference.rst
+++ b/doc/reference.rst
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-.. highlight:: c++
-
 .. _string-formatting-api:
 
 *************