diff --git a/conf/cf-lex.l b/conf/cf-lex.l
index a54cdd99..557d8374 100644
--- a/conf/cf-lex.l
+++ b/conf/cf-lex.l
@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@ WHITE [ \t]
 <CCOMM><<EOF>>	cf_error("Unterminated comment");
 <CCOMM>.
 
+\!\= return NEQ;
+\<\= return LEQ;
+\>\= return GEQ;
+
 %%
 
 static int