diff --git a/core/syntax/syntax.factor b/core/syntax/syntax.factor
index 867d2adc35..3087f5abe6 100644
--- a/core/syntax/syntax.factor
+++ b/core/syntax/syntax.factor
@@ -319,7 +319,9 @@ IN: bootstrap.syntax
     "IDENTITY-MEMO:" [ (:) apply-inlined-effects define-identity-memoized ] define-core-syntax
     "IDENTITY-MEMO::" [ (::) apply-inlined-effects define-identity-memoized ] define-core-syntax
 
-    "'[" [ parse-quotation fry append! ] define-core-syntax
+    "':" [
+        (:) [ fry '[ @ call ] ] [ apply-inlined-effects ] bi* define-declared
+    ] define-core-syntax
 
     "PROTOCOL:" [
         scan-new-word parse-definition define-protocol