diff --git a/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-editing-visual/packages.el b/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-editing-visual/packages.el
index 803a4c8d0..af5298c08 100644
--- a/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-editing-visual/packages.el
+++ b/layers/+spacemacs/spacemacs-editing-visual/packages.el
@@ -145,6 +145,11 @@
 
 (defun spacemacs-editing-visual/init-volatile-highlights ()
   (use-package volatile-highlights
+    :defer (spacemacs/defer 2)
+    :init
+    (spacemacs|add-transient-hook pre-command-hook
+      (lambda () (require 'volatile-highlights))
+      lazy-load-volatile-highlights)
     :config
     (progn
       ;; additional extensions