diff --git a/crates/typst-shim/src/syntax_only.rs b/crates/typst-shim/src/syntax_only.rs
index 74491760..6620e149 100644
--- a/crates/typst-shim/src/syntax_only.rs
+++ b/crates/typst-shim/src/syntax_only.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ pub static SYNTAX_ONLY: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(false);
 
 /// Check if syntax-only mode is enabled.
 pub fn is_syntax_only() -> bool {
-    SYNTAX_ONLY.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    SYNTAX_ONLY.load(Ordering::Acquire)
 }
 
 /// Compile the document if syntax-only mode is disabled; otherwise, return an