diff --git a/.dir-locals.el b/.dir-locals.el
index 21392ecf28..e47f245db7 100644
--- a/.dir-locals.el
+++ b/.dir-locals.el
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ;;; For more information see (info "(emacs) Directory Variables")
 ;;; Match project coding conventions
 
-((c-mode
-  (indent-tabs-mode . t)
-  (show-trailing-whitespace . t)
-  (c-basic-offset . 8)))
+((c-mode . ((indent-tabs-mode . t)
+            (show-trailing-whitespace . t)
+            (c-basic-offset . 8)
+            )))