diff --git a/ftplugin/javascript.vim b/ftplugin/javascript.vim
index e1b7947..5983860 100644
--- a/ftplugin/javascript.vim
+++ b/ftplugin/javascript.vim
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 setlocal fdm=indent
 setlocal smartindent
+setlocal list
diff --git a/ftplugin/text.vim b/ftplugin/text.vim
index a4e8af6..91a3890 100644
--- a/ftplugin/text.vim
+++ b/ftplugin/text.vim
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ setlocal tw=0
 " keep soft breaks between words
 setlocal linebreak
 " turn list off as it interferes with soft wrapping
-setlocal nolist!
+setlocal nolist
 " turn off breaking when typing new text
 setlocal formatoptions-=t
 " turn off line width hint
diff --git a/vimrc b/vimrc
index 669d851..1d8df20 100644
--- a/vimrc
+++ b/vimrc
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ set foldmethod=syntax
 " set a readable width
 set textwidth=80
 " make white space visible, where that matters
-set list
+set list!
 " except for help
-autocmd FileType help set nolist
+autocmd FileType help setlocal nolist
 " set up folding preferences
 set fde=1
 " vim's spelling is smart enough for code, to only check comments