diff --git a/lua/base16.lua b/lua/base16.lua
index 2dcc64d..4439548 100644
--- a/lua/base16.lua
+++ b/lua/base16.lua
@@ -32,12 +32,7 @@ end
 
 M.load_theme = function()
    package.loaded["chadlights" or false] = nil
-   local highlights = require "chadlights"
-
-   -- finally set all highlights :D
-   for hl, col in pairs(highlights) do
-      vim.api.nvim_set_hl(0, hl, col)
-   end
+   require "chadlights"
 end
 
 M.override_theme = function(default_theme, theme_name)
diff --git a/lua/chadlights.lua b/lua/chadlights.lua
index 7e7e733..b0c956b 100644
--- a/lua/chadlights.lua
+++ b/lua/chadlights.lua
@@ -20,4 +20,7 @@ end
 local user_highlights = require("core.utils").load_config().ui.hl_override
 highlights = merge_tb(highlights, user_highlights)
 
-return highlights
+-- finally set all highlights :D
+for hl, col in pairs(highlights) do
+   vim.api.nvim_set_hl(0, hl, col)
+end