diff --git a/packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/class/parser/classDiagram.jison b/packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/class/parser/classDiagram.jison
index 6a7834eca..0e8bc8163 100644
--- a/packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/class/parser/classDiagram.jison
+++ b/packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/class/parser/classDiagram.jison
@@ -200,9 +200,9 @@ Function arguments are optional: 'call <callback_name>()' simply executes 'callb
 
 start
     : mermaidDoc
-    | statements
     | direction
     | directive start
+    | statements
     ;
 
 direction
@@ -272,8 +272,6 @@ statement
     | clickStatement
     | cssClassStatement
     | noteStatement
-    | directive
-    | direction
     | acc_title acc_title_value  { $$=$2.trim();yy.setAccTitle($$); }
     | acc_descr acc_descr_value  { $$=$2.trim();yy.setAccDescription($$); }
     | acc_descr_multiline_value  { $$=$1.trim();yy.setAccDescription($$); }