diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/src/Metamaps.js.erb b/app/assets/javascripts/src/Metamaps.js.erb
index 9846f4ea..84fd38bc 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/src/Metamaps.js.erb
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/src/Metamaps.js.erb
@@ -678,6 +678,7 @@ Metamaps.Create = {
             // initialize the autocomplete results for the metacode spinner
             $('#topic_name').typeahead(
                 {
+                    highlight: true,
                     minLength: 2,
                 },    
                 [{
@@ -767,6 +768,7 @@ Metamaps.Create = {
             // initialize the autocomplete results for synapse creation
             $('#synapse_desc').typeahead(
                 {
+                    highlight: true,
                     minLength: 2,
                 }, 
                 [{